Three weeks ago Dwain Chambers was without a win all summer and looked like missing out on a dream trip to the Sydney Olympics but two stunning wins have put his career back on track.

Chambers triumphed in the British Olympic trials and confounded his critics with an unlikely victory over Sydney 100 metres favourite Maurice Greene in Gateshead on Monday.

Whilst his win in Birmingham may have been impressive, his Norwich Union Grand Prix Classic win confirmed the sprinter as a genuine medal threat.

Thrilling the 8,000 spectators who had stayed to watch the last race of afternoon Chambers equalled his 10.11 seconds season's best and relegated Greene, the world's fastest man, to third.

An elated Chambers said: ''I was really scared before the race today because they put me next to Maurice. I guess I should get scared more often because I ran out of my pants.

''That performance has given me a lot of confidence for Sydney. There I am going to make the final.

"Then who knows. I want a medal. Just now I don't care what colour it is.''

Yet before his win at Birmingham a season where he expected to at least equal - but was determined to improve upon his third place in last year's World Championships - was turning into a nightmare.

A hamstring injury prevented the 22-year-old training properly before the season and his performances suffered.

He was a lowly sixth in Nuremberg in June and last in both the Rome Golden League and the Lausanne Grand Prix to get off to the worst possible start.

In the run-up to the Olympic Trials, coach Mike McFarland had seemed optimistic when predicting victory and Chambers needed a severe talking to from his coach to deliver that promise.

Chambers said: ''I owe a lot to Mike who has given me an ear bashing this year and helped build my confidence. He stood by me when I was having a really tough time.''

The growing army of doubters were made to eat their words as Chambers strode looking every inch an Olympic medallist to a popular win in the Olympic Trials.

''I'm at my best when the chips are down,'' he said after his victory.

''That's the happiest I've been this year and I believe I can get a medal in Sydney."