Dean macey says british athletics is drug-free

By Simon Hayes on March 20, 2008 10:28 AM |

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Olympic decathlete Dean Macey says everyone in the Great Britain athletics team are drug-free.

Macey was in fighting mood when he dropped into Canary Wharf this week, insisting UK athletics is now clean.

The sport was gripped by controversy when convicted drug cheat Dwain Chambers was selected for the British team at the recent World Indoor Championships.

But Macey was phlegmatic when asked whether Chambers’ two-year ban was long enough.

He said: “I’m sure Dwain regrets his decision and he’s trying to get on with his life. He was awesome in the World Indoors.

“Congratulations to him and let’s all move on to work for a cleaner sport.

“We get drug tested at random points throughout the year. There’s absolutely no opportunity for anyone to take drugs nowadays. I’m certain at this moment it’s the cleanest sport on earth.”

Macey, 30, was in Canary Wharf last Thursday (March 13) to help launch the new DLR carriages – part of the London 2012’s transport infrastructure.

The 2006 Commonwealth Games champion is one of Britain’s main medal hopes for this year’s Olympics in Beijing. The Canvey Island athlete is determined to make what is likely to be his last Olympics count after finishing fourth in 2000 and 2004.

“Making it to Beijing is the first thing on my agenda,” he said. “Once that’s out of the way, I can concentrate on the Olympics.

“I still believe there’s not a competitor who can beat me on my day. Whether I’ve had my day, I don’t know, but I’ll still be kicking and punching until the last second of the 1500metres and we’ll see. We’ll leave it in the lap of the gods.”

But Macey is certain he won’t be competing in London in 2012.

“Absolutely not,” he said. “Beijing’s almost certainly going to be my last Olympics. It’s a shame London’s not this year, because I could have done my first day, nipped home for a Sunday roast and come back for the second day.

“I’m sure it would have done me the world of good. I missed out on the Manchester Commonwealth Games and the London Olympics would have been fantastic. But I’ve never competed for anything other than to win medals and at 34 years old, I won’t be in any shape to win medals. The decathlon hurts way too much just to take part.”

simon.hayes@wharf.co.uk