The 34-year-old (pictured above and below, left), who earlier this year earned the right to return to the Olympic scene after a 12-year gap when the British Olympic Association (BOA) was obliged to drop its byelaw preventing home athletes convicted of serious doping offences from competing at future Games, has struggled for form this season.

But he rose to the occasion at the Alexander Stadium to defeat a field which included 18-year-old Adam Gemili (pictured below, right), who finished second to confirm a place at London 2012, if he wants one. 

Unlike Chambers, Gemili has already bettered the Olympic A qualifying time of 10.18, and will decide whether to run at the home Games following the World Junior Championships in Barcelona, where he will run the 100 and 200m.

Chambers, meanwhile, needs to better 10.18 by July 1 to confirm his Olympic return.

He will now fly to Helsinki to seek the time at the European Championships which start on Wednesday (June 27).

If he fails, there is still a chance the selectors could reference times when he bettered the mark last year.

"I was pumped up and just got carried away," Chambers said after flinging himself to the track in the aftermath of his win.


"I just wanted to win and you need that bit of anger in you, but I'm sorry and I didn't mean it.

"The dream is still alive.

"There's a rainbow, but the pot of gold ain't there yet."

Chambers admitted: "That was the most scared I have been in a long time.

"I didn't even think I was going to finish in the top three.

"That's how bad it felt.

"I was just glad I beat the young boy.

"And I don't mean that in a disrespectful way.

"As an old man you don't want to be beaten by the young boys."

Gemili said it was "quite likely" he would compete in London 2012.

"I will talk to my coach and make the decision officially soon."


James Dasaolu, who also has an A qualifying time, finished third and will be favourite for the discretionary place.

Jessica Ennis (pictured above), using the event to sharpen herself in some of the key areas she wants to work on ahead of her challenge for the Olympic heptathlon title, produced her best high jump of the season so far, winning in 1.89 metres, before earning victory in the 100m hurdles in 12.92 ahead of Tiffany Porter, who secured her Olympic place with a time of 13.21.

Sophie Hitchon, winner of the hammer event, was the first British athlete to confirm a place at the Olympics.

Dai Greene, world 400m hurdles champion, made sure of his Olympic trip with a victory ahead of training partner Jack Green, who also qualified.

Elsewhere, Olympic 400m champion Christine Ohuruogu secured her London 2012 run by winning in a season's best of 51.89 ahead of Shana Cox, who also qualified.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
May 2012: Chambers finishes off-the-pace sixth in first 100m race since ban lifted
April 2012: Jarrett says Chambers return will make Team GB "very strong"
April 2012: Moynihan laments "hollow victory" for WADA after CAS overturns ban on drugs cheats
April 2012: British Olympic drug ban is illegal, confirm CAS
April 2012: Chambers return polarises opinion among leading British athletes