Dwain Chambers can do no more to secure a place at the Olympic Games. As the sun beamed across the Alexander Stadium here in Birmingham yesterday evening, the story which has left UK Athletics under a cloud all year was given a sensational twist.

Chambers won the 100m at the Aviva National Championships in 10.00secs, the fastest legal time by a British runner for almost nine years. It provided him with a powerful, spectacular victory to qualify for Beijing, pending a battle which will prove tougher than he has faced over the past two days here.

On Wednesday, Chambers and his legal team will go to the High Court in London seeking an injunction against the British Olympic Association’s bylaw which prevents athletes who have committed a serious drugs offence from representing Team GB at any future Games.

In 2003, Chambers was tested positive for the anabolic steroid Tetrahydrogestrinone. He was banned for two years. He then chose to become an American Footballer. It did not work out. In the winter, he came back to athletics amid a storm before winning a silver medal in the 60m at the world indoor championships in Valencia.

Next stop was the pursuit of a career as a rugby league player with Castleford Tigers. That did not materialise, but all along he was determined that he could be in Beijing.

The BOA have vowed to vigorously defend their bylaw after Chambers’ legal team claimed that it was “inherently unfair” and a “restraint of trade”.

The decision will be left in the hands of Justice Colin Mackay. Chambers, booed by some when he took to his blocks yesterday for the final but then cheered as he triumphed with a run of intense power, knew it was a double fight.

The court he can do nothing about. The track he could dominate and that is what he did in a thrilling final with a run that puts him into Olympic medal contention – if he wins on Wednesday.

Not since Chambers won bronze in 9.97 at the world championships in Seville in August 1999 has a British sprinter run as quick as he did here. The clock showed 10.01, it was rounded down to 10.00, but by then Chambers was sprawled on the ground, kissing the track in delight.

“I can sleep tonight after that performance,” said Chambers. “I have not been sleeping. I have made my mistake and I have promised to go out and compete as a clean athlete.”

He received his medal from Ed Warner, the chairman of UK Athletics, but while he was on the podium, a call of “You are a cheat, Chambers” came from the crowd. He responded by waving his arms to drown out the chant and the crowd responded.

His victory had come in a race where Simeon Williamson was second in 10.03, a personal best, with Craig Pickering third in 10.19. They should both be in Beijing, but Tyrone Edgar will now have to wait on the outcome of the hearing. He was fourth in 10.22 and if Chambers loses in court, Edgar should be given the third place.

Chambers said: “I am so glad it is over. I just had to believe in myself. I knew I was in good shape, I kept a clear mind and I did the best I could.

“I have done my part and hopefully it will be a future in Beijing. I just want to be treated fairly. No matter what negatives I’m up against, I think one way and one way only. I won’t be speaking on Wednesday. I will be sitting there praying that things go our way.

“All sorts go through my head, naturally there are negative thoughts, but I just get rid of them.”

Williamson said: “I am very happy. A personal best, you can’t go wrong with a personal best. My goal was to come in the top two and I didn’t want to finish third and be left wondering if they would pick me. But second with that time should get me on the plane.”

Meanwhile, Paula Radcliffe may discover tomorrow if she is closer to a remarkable come-back in time for the Olympic Games. Radcliffe, Britain’s mar-athon world record-holder, is flying into London from her base in the French Pyrenees for tests as she battles back from a stress fracture injury.

Dave Collins, UK Athletics’ national performance director, said: “We have the capability of scanning her remotely but it is not the same quality as checking her in person. It makes sense to check regularly that she is not suffering any adverse effects from her training.” In Hexham yesterday, Dean Macey set himself on the way to achieving the Olympic A standard of 8000 points after the first day of his first decathlon for more than two years. Macey, the Commonwealth champion, is second overnight with 4176 points.