Hard-up Chambers fears for his future
Dwain Chambers has revealed he may have to retire in 2009 because of financial concerns.
Since returning to the track after serving a drugs ban, Chambers has gradually improved his relationship with UK Athletics, but the sprinter admits he could be forced to bring down the curtain on his career and look for alternative employment if he cannot make a proper living from the sport in the coming year.
"I'm able to continue competing as long as my lady is still in a job," Chambers told PA Sport. "I have no-one other than Leonie (his partner) supporting me."
On the few occasions the Londoner has won prize money since his return, he has handed it over to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to whom he owes over £100,000, money earned during the period he was using performance-enhancing drugs.
The 30-year-old sprinter still cannot enter the money-spinning events, after the Euro Meetings Group which represents 51 promoters banned him and other drug offenders from its events.
Chambers has been contacting promoters, looking for races, and admitted: "The duration of my career will depend on how well I'm treated by the meet promoters.
"But it's not going to be easy. If I can't earn anything next year then I'll have to seriously consider finding some other kind of living."
Chambers was speaking only days after UKA chief executive Niels de Vos, who failed in an attempt to prevent him competing in last year's World Indoor Championships, confirmed the sprinter would now be welcome in the British team.
De Vos said: "The reason I didn't think Dwain should have competed in the world indoors was that he had not been on a (drugs) testing programme for 12 months. That was it, pure and simple."
