Chambers was beaten by Nigeria's Olusoji Fasuba who lived up to his pre-race billing for gold with the Briton waiting close to five minutes before learning he had edged Kim Collins, of St Kitts and Nevis, out of sole possession of second place as the two athletes were both credited with the same time.

 

After the race, Chambers insisted he wanted to "relax" before considering whether to follow up his second-place finish with an appeal against his lifetime Olympic ban.

 

With European meeting organisers snubbing the drugs cheat and British Olympic Association (BOA) rules barring him from competing in Beijing this summer this may have been his only event of the year.

 

Chambers said:

 

""I was under a lot of pressure.

 

"I wanted to go and win and I can't complain with a personal best.

 

"I would like to have have won but the better man won on the day.

 

Asked how his comeback would continue, he added: "There may not be a comeback.

 

"As I said earlier this is my Olympic Games, I've got my medal, I'm happy and let's hope there's a chance for me to move forward.

 

"If not, then I'll pursue a career elsewhere."

 

A BOA bylaw bans athletes who have served doping offences from competing in future Games but speculation persists that Chambers may challenge the rules.

 

But tonight Chambers said: "I just want to relax from here first, check my situation and check if it's worth appealing and if there's a chance of me winning then it's something I'd consider but for now I just want to celebrate with my team-mates and go and have some fun.

 

"Rules are the rules and I'm no exception from that. I failed to follow the rules and I've been punished and it's something I've got to deal with.

 

"Hopefully things will change, if not for me then for people in the future."

 

Chambers had easily qualified for the final after winning his heats with plenty to spare. In the process he equalled his personal best with a time of 6.55 after also cantering to a win in his opening race of the day.

 

Chambers' performance completed a hectic 15 minutes for Britain during which Jeanette Kawkye and Kelly Sotherton also claimed silver medals in the 60m and pentathlon respectively.