Dwain Chambers admits he has plenty of work to do ahead of the Olympics and wants Adam Gemili in the relay team.
British 100m champion hopes Gemili runs in the sprint relay team
Dwain Chambers admits he couldn't see how his career could go on in the immediate aftermath of his heartache at last year's World Championships - but nearly 12 months on he finds himself in a race against time to make the most of his Olympic reprieve.
Chambers looked an inconsolable figure as he sat on the track following his disqualification in the semi-finals in Daegu and, with his Games ban still firmly in place, there was little light at the end of the tunnel.
But the 34-year-old's decision to stick at it paid off in dramatic style earlier this year when the British Olympic Association's lifetime ban for doping offenders was ruled to be illegal, paving the way for him to compete at London 2012.
Chambers was subsequently picked in the track and field team for the 100 metres following his victory at the UK Trials in Birmingham although he was unable secure his place in London automatically having failed to run the 'A' qualifying standard of 10.18 seconds this year.
The Belgrave Harrier's poor form continued at the Aviva London Grand Prix over the weekend when he failed to qualify for the final after finishing fifth in his heat in a time of 10.35 and he's the first to accept he needs to make big improvements before the Olympics begin.
Stepping stone
Chambers, who was competing at Crystal Palace for the first time in nine years having previously been frozen out of competing at top-level athletics meetings, said: "That was a test of what it's going to be like in the Games. Obviously I know I've got work to do but I also know there's a couple of good performances in me.
"So I've got to use this as a stepping stone for what's to come and hopefully be ready for the Games. I don't get these opportunities often. I get them once in a blue moon so I have to so the best I can.
"But it wasn't good enough (at Palace) so I've got to make sure I do better.
"I need to make sure I remain injury free so I can give myself a fighting chance of making the semi-final or the final. As it stands now, I have work to do."
Recent performances aside, Chambers is still on cloud nine about being able to compete at the Games which is a far cry to how he felt in Daegu last year.
He said: "In all honesty I couldn't see if my career was going to go on any further. But these are things that happen in sport - you win some, you lose some. Success and failure go hand in hand and I've had my fair share of not so good performances at the moment. I've got three weeks to be ready.
"When a bad race happens you've got to learn to get rid of it. You've got to have a short memory in sport. If you carry them into the future then it's always going to haunt you. I don't dwell on it."
Improving
Chambers isn't thinking of retirement anytime soon and still feels he's capable of going below his personal best of 9.97, which he set in 1999.
He added: "I know I can perform, I just have work to do. I've stayed in this sport because I've always wanted to know how fast I can go. I don't know yet so I'm going to continue to pursue that journey until I think I've done enough.
"When that day is, I don't know - but I'm going to enjoy the journey."
While Chambers is targeting a final spot in the 100m, he feels there is an outside medal possibility in the sprint relay if teenage sensation Adam Gemili is drafted into the team that dropped the baton at last month's European Championships in Helsinki.
Gemili is the fastest British sprinter in the world this year having clocked a sensational time of 10.01 to win gold at the recent World Junior Championships and his speed would no doubt improve the quartet's prospects.
Relay
Chambers said: "It all depends on what the team selectors decide - I for one think he should be on the team but that's just my opinion. I just hope he's fit enough and healthy enough and enthusiastic enough to be part of the team.
"Where he's going to slot into the team is a matter for the selectors but he'll be a great addition. We need some speed.
"I am really proud of him to run that fast. He's humble and not big headed in any capacity. I first met him at a relay practice earlier this year. He was really humble and kept himself to himself.
"Obviously as the season has progressed I've watched his performances and he's got talent. So hopefully he'll get drafted into the relay and his presence can help us get a medal.
"He may have to give me some advice now!"
