Dwain Chambers today lost his high court bid to be allowed to compete at next month’s Olympic Games in Beijing. Justice Sir Colin Mackay refused to grant an injunction temporarily suspending a lifetime Olympic ban imposed on the self-confessed drugs cheat by the British Olympic Association (BOA) under a bylaw. But the judge told a packed courtroom today: “Many people both inside and outside sport would see this bylaw as unlawful. In my judgment, it would take a much better case than the claimant has presented to persuade me to overturn the status quo at this stage and compel his selection for the Games.” The BOA chairman Lord Colin Moynihan welcomed the ruling. Speaking outside court, he said: “It is a matter of regret that Dwain Chambers an athlete with such undoubted talent … should by his own actions put himself out of the running to shine on the Olympic stage. The BOA will continue to send out a powerful message and important message that anyone found guilty of a drug offence should not have the honour to represent Team GB at the Olympic Games.”Chambers posed for pictures on the steps of the Royal Courts of Justice but would not say a word about the ruling. He was surrounded by photographers as he crossed The Strand and disappeared towards his barrister’s office. The decision was welcomed by many in the sporting world. “I think this is a very fair verdict in the circumstances and shows that Dwain now understands that he cannot break the rules just because he thinks it suits him. He knew the rules existed when he broke them,” said the former Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis. “The decision also sends out a very strong message to anyone else who may attempt to appeal in this way and to anyone who is tempted to cheat by using drugs to enhance their performance. It is very sad that this appeal has grabbed so many headlines and I really do think that the British bylaw should be adopted by the IOC and across the world so that everyone understands very clearly that if any athlete tests positive for drugs they forfeit any right to represent their country at any future Olympics. We must now get behind all the athletes representing Team GB in Beijing who have worked very hard to earn their places. I really think all our athletes will be delighted with this decision.”