Athletics: Dwain Chambers believes a medal is within his grasp when he competes in the 60 metres at this weekend's World Indoor Championships in Valencia, but concedes he will not have it easy as he bids to extend his controversial comeback.
Chambers arrived at the Spanish venue today insisting his preparations have gone extremely well since winning the trial race in February.
He also admitted the fact the British selectors would have preferred not to have picked him for the side has not dampened his determination to mount a strong challenge at the championships.
Indeed Chambers, who failed a drugs test in 2003, believes this could be the first step in re-establishing his career at international level.
The selectors objected to his inclusion because they would have preferred to have blooded the next generation of young sprinters in the build-up to the 2012 London Olympics.
But UK Athletics knew that not choosing him in the team would have almost certainly resulted in a legal battle - and defeat - in the High Court.
Chambers says he has been treated extremely well by UKA's team management since hearing he would return to international action for the first time since winning a European 4x100m relay gold medal in August 2006
"They have been really good about everything and helpful once they knew I would be back in the squad," he said today. "Now let's see what happens in the heats on Friday and then talk about winning medals.
"But yes, that's what I've come here to do for my country. As always I intend to do my talking with my legs.
"Okay, I haven't raced since the trial but my training has gone very well.
"Now I just want to get out there and prove to everyone that I am doing my very best to achieve something for my country."
UKA's performance director Dave Collins was at Valencia airport to welcome Chambers and a large section of the British side on their arrival this afternoon.
Collins repeated his claims that Chambers will be treated exactly the same as every other athlete as they complete final preparations for the three-day championships.
He explained: "Now we are at the event it is our job to give each competitor the best support we can and avoid any distractions."
But, with Chambers not eligible under British Olympic Association regulations to compete at future Olympic Games, Collins again stressed he would have preferred not to have brought the 29-year-old to the World Championships.
He added: "Meetings like these are exactly what we want to give athletes massive experience, particularly as we look forward to the London Olympics."
Earlier today Spain's athletics chief said Chambers is not welcome at the event.
"I'm not happy that Chambers is competing in the world indoors
but we can't do anything about it because his country has included
him in their team," Spanish Athletics Federation president Jose
Maria Odriozola told sports daily AS today.
"We have received warnings that the British fans are going to
express their opposition to him being allowed to run.
"They could cause a very serious incident and prevent the
race taking place because their shouting could stop the athletes
hearing the gun."