Chambers’ double helps GB rally to Euro bronze
FORMER outcast Dwain Chambers came to his team’s rescue to help Great Britain to a third place finish in the inaugural European Team Championship in Portugal.
After winning the 100 metres in the opening session, Chambers then completed an impressive sprint double in the 200m after stepping in to replace the injured Rikki Fifton.
Victory ensured Chambers, 31, finished the event as Great Britain’s top points scorer, although the team were also indebted to Andy Turner, who took the 110m hurdles, and the 4x400m relay team, whose victory in the very last race helped the team leapfrog France to finish in the bronze medal position behind Germany and Russia.
“It’s good be a team player but I’m definitely smashed,” reformed drugs cheat Chambers said. “The 200m is not my specialist event and I didn’t know what I could do against these guys. I am very tired, the weather is very hot but I have to do this in order to become stronger and faster. This was about getting points for the team. I thought go for it and not to lose.”
Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu and triple jump silver medallist Phillips Idowu were only other Brits to achieve an individual podium finish, although both were disappointing in finishing third and second respectively.