LONDON, March 9, 2009 (AFP) - Controversial British sprinter Dwain Chambers faces an uncertain future after the International Association of Athletics Federation launched a probe into his newly-released book.
Chambers, who won a gold medal at the European Indoor Championships at the weekend, has stirred up a storm with his book ‘Race Against Me’, which was released on Monday.
In the book Chambers has serialised the events that led up to him being banned for two years for testing positive for the steroid THG in October 2003.
But the revelations have caused concern at the IAAF, who fear he has tarnished the sport’s image.
UK athletics chairman Ed Warner revealed he has been in contact with the governing body about the matter this weekend, and that they will digest the contents of Chambers’ book over the next few days.
Warner admitted the IAAF have concerns about the contents of the book and claimed they felt let down by the 30-year-old after they had struck a deal to allow him to return to the sport.
He did a deal with the IAAF that would allow him to run so he could use his winnings to repay the IAAF money he won while he was running 'dirty','' Warner told BBC Radio Five Live on Monday. I have spoken to the IAAF at length over the weekend and they are concerned that he may have brought the sport into disrepute with what has been written in the book.
They are quite concerned he is throwing that agreement back in their face. They will be reflecting on whether he has brought the sport into disrepute over the next few weeks and we will be in contact with them over that.’’
Speaking about any possible sanction against Chambers, Warner added: ``It would be an IAAF sanction. He has been allowed to run to pay back that money and the IAAF are mindful he is still someway short of that mark.’’ Chambers stormed to victory in 6.46 seconds at the Oval Lingotto on Sunday, just 0.04secs slower than the new European record he set in Saturday’s semi-final.
Despite his success, UK Athletics head coach Charles van Commenee confirmed on Monday that Chambers would not be included in the 4x100m team at the World Championships in Berlin later this year.
Chambers is ineligible to compete in the London Olympics in 2012 as a result of his drugs ban.
What “deal” is he talking about? Chambers completed his ban and is back running. No special deal there at all. It certainly doesn’t look like the IAAF tried to convince the European meet organisers to invite him. Since he can’t earn much money on the circuit, publishing his book was the only way for him to make some money to pay his debts and thus be allowed to continue running, but now they are thinking about banning him again because of publishing his book. Does anyone else see the irony in this?
Chambers actions are clearly scandalous! The IAAF said they wanted to get to the bottom of what went on AND CHAMBERS TOLD THEM!
Surely he didn’t think they were serious!
This organization intimidates by shifting the repayment requirements. Demanding repayment in advance is a death penalty, since racing is the only source of income.
Kelli White was tricked into cooperating for a reduced penalty, but was effectively banished by this “Catch 22”.
Word is, in case Marion Jones thinks of coming back, they want 1 million up front.
Perhaps the IAAF offered Chambers repayment terms so he’d close his mouth and maybe bring some cash in. Besides, he’d likely crap out on the track.
Wrong on all counts!
These athletes should pay back their winnings only if the IOC, IAAF, and the Meet Organizers also return every cent they received from the Networks and fans who paid to see those enhanced performances!
Fat Chance!!
It does beg the question:
Is the money Chambers repays going to go to the athletes who did not get paid what they should have been? :rolleyes:
Please, I think I know the answer to this already!! 
A moving reinstatement target ensures controllability.
If the athletes know up front that they’re out forever, what would stop them from telling all they know? Would they be banned for two lifetimes?