The big oval in the Big Apple stages the self-styled world thoroughbred championships and these thoroughbreds are going to have to run pretty fast to get anywhere near the ghosts that run around Belmont. For this was the arena when Man O'War ("the mostest hoss that ever was") made his debut and also won the Belmont Stakes of 1920. Yet not even Big Red created the most memorable display here. That distinction belongs to the horse who also inherited his soubriquet, the magnificent Secretariat. Dwain knows this and is co-operating to ensure that there is no further delay."Matt O'Dowd is looking for a place on Britain's team for the European Championships in Gothenburg next year by running tomorrow's Frankfurt Marathon."The selectors haven't confirmed a minimum time but if I get under two hours 13 or 14 minutes that should be good enough," said O'Dowd who also explained why he preferred to go for European selection rather than for the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in March."It's difficult to do both marathons and although there is a tradition in the Commonwealths, it's not the biggest championships I'd rather measure myself against our European neighbours.". This delay in the start of his reinstatement procedure means that he will not be clear to compete from November 8."The actual date he will be eligible again cannot be specified at this time but it is anticipated it will be in early 2006 following successful completion of the reinstatement process."UK Athletic's athletics performance director, Dave Collins, said: "We are aware of the circumstances regarding Dwain's return from the ban."It is essential that these procedures are followed to the letter of the law. The 27-year-old former European record holder protested his innocence - but was found guilty.During his absence from the sport Chambers indicated he was eager to pursue an alternative career - and he was linked with a change of sport to American football.The statement confirmed: "Following his ban, Dwain considered a future outside of the sport and was removed from the anti-doping register at his request."In March this year he requested that he be placed back on the register and for the reinstatement process to begin. However, in line with Wada regulations, as part of an athlete's reinstatement process, Dwain must complete a series of three anti-doping tests with a minimum of four months in between each test, and also undergo a final test prior to receiving clearance to compete." Chambers produced positive samples for the designer drug THG (tetrahydrogestrinone) in an out-of-competition test carried out in Germany in August 2003.
The sprinter was expected to return from suspension next month - but UK Athletics said yesterday that the World Anti-Doping Agency regulations will not allow him back into competition until he has undertaken three mandatory tests. A statement issued by UK Athletics read: "Dwain Chambers received a two-year ban in 2003 which was due to expire on November 7, 2005. Dwain Chambers will have to wait until the new year to become eligible for competition again. "The project is in its infancy and I'm sure there are a few hoops they [National Grid] need to jump through yet."A spokeswoman for National Grid said that the company was in a "positive dialogue" with the CRT to reduce damage. She said contractors would pay attention to the "reinstatement of the landscape to its original condition" after they had finished.
"When we put in a pipeline, minimising impact on the environment is extraordinarily important to us, as is the restoration of the landscape," she said.. "Obviously if they are going to build this on Duchy land the Prince would want as little impact on the environment as possible," she said. Some will welcome compensation of about £4,000 per acre - but the news is bad for conservationists, particularly as they were hoping for support from Prince Charles. He now looks set to co-operate with developers.A spokeswoman for the Prince said it was possible the pipeline would go through three Duchy of Cornwall fields, but that there was nothing he could do once plans had been approved. "This whole exercise is being driven by the Government which is pressuring the National Grid to get the pipe in as quickly as possible - not in the most environmentally responsible way." The value of the land dates back to Rowland Vaughan, a wealthy Elizabethan landowner who took his social responsibilites seriously.