LONDON (AP):

BRITISH SPRINTER Dwain Chambers failed yesterday in his bid to overturn a lifetime Olympic ban because of doping, and will not be able to compete at the Beijing Games.

London's High Court refused to grant an injunction against the British Olympic Association's (BOA) bylaw which bans doping violators for life from the Games. Chambers' legal team said it would not appeal the decision.

"The judge has made his decision," Chambers said.

The sprinter did not comment on possible retirement plans. His attorney suggested in court on Thursday that Chambers was likely to retire if he lost the case.

Chambers, who won the 100-metre race at last Saturday's British Olympic trials in 10 seconds, served a two-year ban after testing positive for the steroid THG in August 2003.

The BOA, which is expected to announce its final sprint squad today ahead of tomorrow's deadline, said it would not seek to be reimbursed for its costs.

Review of bylaw

Despite ruling against Chambers, Judge Colin Mackay criticised the bylaw.

"People both inside and outside the sport would see this bylaw as unlawful," Mackay said.

The BOA has asked its Anti-Doping Commission to undertake a review of the bylaw, in conjunction with the independent British Athletes Commission.

"Today has strengthened our resolve that it's the right approach but we also want to make sure we are reflecting the athletes' wishes," BOA chairman Colin Moynihan said. "I don't believe today will change that bylaw but we need to keep it under review."

Chambers would have been eligible to compete if only International Olympic Committee rules applied.

"We now consider the issue closed and look forward to Beijing and turn all our focus to our final preparations of the athletes who will represent Great Britain," UK Athletics spokeswoman Claire Furlong said.

In his deliberation, however, Mackay highlighted the new IOC rule, which came into effect July 1 but is not retroactive, banning athletes from the following Olympics if they have received a drug suspension of at least six months.

"We welcome the court's judgment," IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said. "We believe in a zero tolerance approach to athletes who take banned drugs."