No Games for Chambers, says court

Chambers, who won the 100 metres at the British Olympic trials last weekend in 10.0 seconds, completed a two-year doping ban in 2006 after testing positive for the steroid THG in 2003.

The London-based sprinter8217;s legal team had argued that the BOA ban represented a restraint of trade. However, judge Colin MacKay said if the challenge had gone to a fully-contested hearing he was not satisfied that Chambers had a reasonable prospect of proving his case.

He said to have allowed the challenge meant 8220;the harmony and management of the British team would have been upset8221;.

BOA chairman Colin Moynihan was pleased with the verdict and said it sent out a strong message to other athletes.

8220;It8217;s a matter of regret that Dwain Chambers, an athlete of such undoubted talent, should by his own actions have put himself out of the running to shine on the Olympic stage in Beijing,8221; Moynihan told reporters outside court.

8220;The BOA will continue to send a powerful message that nobody found guilty of serious drug-cheating offences should have the honour of wearing GB vests at the Olympic Games.8221;

Pistorius left out

JOHANNESBURG: Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius was not chosen Friday to be on South Africa8217;s Olympic team for the Beijing Games.

Besides failing to meet the qualifying standard to run in the 400-metre race, Pistorius was also left off the relay team. Athletics South Africa president Leonard Chuene said four others had faster times, and two others were chosen as alternates.

Efforts to reach Pistorius were not immediately successful. His manager, Peet van Zyl, said he hadn8217;t heard any official word about the decision. However, he said considering Pistorius8217;s recent times, he didn8217;t expect the runner to be asked to join the team.

8220;From the beginning, we knew that he had to qualify,8221; Van Zyl said. 8220;We didn8217;t expect him to be granted any special opportunity or anything. The rules are the rules.8221;