Dwain Chambers has announced he will challenge the British Olympic Association (BOA) over his current ban, which prevents him competing at the Beijing Games.

The former sprinter was handed a life-long suspension from representing Great Britain in the Olympics when he tested positive for the use of the banned steroid tetrahydrogestrinone (THG).

By-law 25 of the BOA statute, initiated in 1992, states that any athlete found guilty of cheating would be banned from the Olympic Games for life.

And despite several successful challenges over the years, most recently by 400m runner Christine Ohuruogu, the BOA has said it stands by its law, which it claims has been supported by British athletes "since its inception".

A spokesman for the BOA said it would "vigorously defend [the] by-law" and there would be no consideration of a change of policy as the matter stands.

The BOA also stated it has yet to receive any papers informing it of the legal challenge.

Chambers' lawyer Nick Collins said in a statement: "We can confirm that Dwain Chambers will be taking proceedings to secure his eligibility/participation in the Olympic and national trials in Birmingham from July 11th to 13th."

The 30-year-old's two-year ban from athletics officially ended in August 2005 but he did not return to the sport until June 2006 when he competed at the European Championships in Gothenburg.

However, his attendance sparked controversy and fellow sprinter Darren Campbell refused to go on a lap of honour with Chambers after the GB 4x100m team won gold.

In an apparent bid to curry favour with the authorities, Chambers has also today announced he will present a full and detailed dossier of his activities during his time using performance-enhancing drugs.

The letter will, according to reports, be a "full and frank" account and will be presented to UK Sport, the body in charge of Britain's anti-doping programme.
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