Olympic Briefs -- More Problems for Chambers; China Accused of Match-Fixing

Olympic sprinter Dwain Chambers faces more problems as a resultof his drug use admission in his new autobiography, “Race Against Me." (Getty Images)The day after winning gold at the 60-meter dash at the European Indoor Championships in Turin, Italy on Sunday, sprinter Dwain Chambers is facing more controversy. Despite a record-breaking performance, Chambers will not be competing at the world championships this summer. He is also facing possible action stemming from his new autobiography, "Race Against Me," released today.

The Olympic sprinter may also be facing action by IAAF after statements were made concerning further allegations of use of performance-enhancing drugs.

In a Times of London article, BALCO founder and owner Victor Conte says that Chambers’ management company transferred $10,000 to his business in 2002.

“I do recall Dwain telling me in early 2002 that he talked with a member of his management team about the possibility of working with me and that he had revealed some of the specifics of my program.” said Conte in The Times story.

“I was not present during the conversation. However, I do know that a wire transfer of more than $10,000 was sent to me thereafter by someone at Dwain’s management company. It would seem that a reasonable person would know that a supply of legal nutritional supplements does not usually cost $10,000.”

Chambers’ agent John Regis denied the allegations, though Chambers claims in his book that Regis knew of his drug use.

“We would pay for Mr. Chambers’ electricity and his gas,” Regis said. “He would tell us where to pay the money. I am yet to hear of an athlete who is honest enough to ring his agent and say, ‘Can you play this man this much for my drugs.’”

As a result of the controversy, the IAAF is considering passing sanctions against Chambers, stating that admissions to drug use by the sprinter in his book brings the sport into disrepute.

“We will get a copy of the book and ask our legal experts to study it,” IAAF spokesman Nick Davies said. “If further action needs to be taken, this will be discussed by the IAAF Council at its next meeting in Berlin on March 21-22.”

Despite breaking the European indoor record for the 60-meter dash and winning his first individual gold medal since 2002, UK Athletics coach Charles van Commenee informed the Olympian that he wouldn't be added to the world team because he was ineligible for London 2012.

Van Commenee was adamant that this decision was unrelated to Chambers' controversial book.

"I want to be absolutely clear that this decision is purely about performance and the appropriate preparation for a major championship. It is not an indication of any bad feeling among British sprinters nor is it a response to the publication of any book."

Malaysia Accuses China of Match-Fixing in Badminton

Malaysia national badminton coach Rashid Sidek has accused China of fixing all-Chinese matches at major tournaments to make it easier for its top players to succeed.

According to Sidek, the latest incident took place at last weekend’s All-England championships in Birmingham, England, in which the Chinese allegedly had tournament defending champion Chen Jin retire from his semifinal match with teammate Lin Dan to give the 2008 Olympic gold medalist a smoother Malaysia national badminton coach Rashid Simek accuses China of fixing matches during major tournaments, including last week’s All-England Championships. (Getty Images)path to the championship.

There has been a suspicion within badminton circles that Chinese athletes would forfeit their games to allow their teammates to rest before a pending match against another country.

China became the first country since Denmark in 1948 to sweep all five titles at the All-England tournament.

Sidek also accused the Chinese of doing the same thing at the Beijing Olympics last year, where they won three of the five events.

“Everyone in the world of badminton is talking about it. They [China] know our reaction, but they just do not care,” Sidek said. “They do not see that their actions are bringing a bad reputation to the sport. Yes, this is affecting the sport as a whole. We [Malaysia] do not condone such tactics. For us, we want the best players on the day to win.”

Davis Sets Speed Skating World Records

Speed skater Shani Davis of the U.S. is once again the world record-holder in the 1,500 and 1,000-meter races, setting new standards in both events at the ISU World Cup finals. The match Shani Davis broke world records in the 1,000 and 1,500-meter races at the ISU World Cup Finals in Salt Lake City this weekend. (Getty Images)was held on the 2002 Winter Olympic oval in Salt Lake City this weekend.

Davis won the 1,500 on Friday with a time of 1:41.80, breaking the record of 1:42.01 set by Canadian Denny Morrison in Calgary, Alberta last year.

He then won the 1,000 in 1:06.42, surpassing the previous mark of 1:06.88 set by American Trevor Marsicano in an earlier heat in the competition.

Davis had previously set four world records in the 1,500 and two in the 1,000. He will compete in the ISU World Single Distance Championships at the 2010 Winter Olympic oval in Richmond, B.C. March 12-15.

2010 Commonwealth Games Baton Introduced

Organizers for the troubled 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi got some positive publicity for a change after the Queen’s Baton for the event was introduced at a ceremony in the Indian capital on Sunday.

The baton, which begins its relay journey at Buckingham Palace in London in November, will be carried through all 71 member countries of the British Commonwealth before the Games’ opening ceremony on Oct. 3, 2010.

The introduction of the baton comes after the attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, Pakistan last week and the terrorist hit on Mumbai, India in November increased doubts on whether New Delhi could provide adequate security for the Games.

Briefs…

…The surviving members of the 1952 U.S. Olympic Nordic ski team that competed at the Winter Games in Oslo, Norway will be honored at the NCAA cross-country skiing championships in Rumford, Maine this weekend. Seven of the eight team members will be present at the site of the 1952 U.S. Olympic skiing trials for a special luncheon in their honor.

…Athletic Tanzania secretary general Suleiman Nyambui said that the east African nation could possibly win medals at the 2016 Summer Olympics if Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete comes through on his promise to hire a professional coach. Nyambui said it would take eight years of professional coaching for the country’s athletes to become competitive in international competition. Tanzania has never won an Olympic gold medal.

Written by Greg Oshust.