Kelly Sotherton refused to allow the presence of Dwain Chambers to overshadow the World Indoor Trials in Sheffield.

Although the sprinter was not competing on Saturday, his presence at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) overshadowed the programme, and will eclipse all other performances over the two days.

The row over the 29-year-old's bid to compete in Sheffield has dominated this week's build-up to the trials, and UK Athletics will be desperate to see the former European champion's bid for 60 metres victory fail on Sunday.

The governing body had attempted to ban Chambers - who served a two-year suspension after testing positive for THG in August 2003 - from competing at the EIS, as they claimed he had retired to take up a career in American football, but the athlete maintained this was not the case.

UKA then reluctantly agreed to accept Chambers could compete under IAAF rules, as he had continuously informed them of his whereabouts.

Should he win, Chambers would be automatically guaranteed a spot at next month's World Championships in Valencia, but if he claims second place, it would herald another row.

UKA would, in all probability, not select the North Londoner, on the grounds he will not be able to compete at the Olympics because of his doping ban.

However, heptathlete Sotherton was exasperated by the Chambers debate, and instead preferred to focus on top performances on the first day in Sheffield.

She said: "I don't really want to comment about Dwain Chambers, I've been talking about it all day. It is tarnishing the whole meet, it is not just about one athlete.

"Samson Oni got an Olympic qualifier, a fantastic jump. Steve Lewis in the pole vault, fantastic, I want to focus on that.

"I don't want to think about the 60 metres, it is all making a mountain out of a molehill for me."

UK Athletics performance director Dave Collins refused to be drawn on the row, and said: "I wouldn't really have much to comment on that.

"(UKA chief executive officer) Niels (de Vos) is pushing for important changes, which reflect what is being done at world and European level, in regard to lessening tolerance.

"I am focused on the athletes for Beijing and beyond."

When asked if Chambers would be guaranteed selection if he were to win, Collins added: "I am a member of a selection committee. We'll see what happens tomorrow."

Away from Chambers, Oni won the high jump and qualified for both Valencia and the Beijing Olympics by clearing 2.30 metres on his second attempt.

It was a personal best by three centimetres for the 26-year-old, which put him equal fourth on the all-time British list.

Oni said: "I didn't even expect a top-three place today, as I don't feel 100%. To win, get a PB and to get the qualifying height is great."

Sotherton won the long jump with her first-round attempt of 6.41 metres, before finishing sixth in the shot put, with 14 metres.

The Olympic and world heptathlon bronze medallist is six weeks behind schedule after suffering an injury to her right foot before Christmas.

However, she has set her sights on the world record in Valencia.

"Technically, I'm not quite right, but I'm feeling strong and fit.

"I want a crack at the world record in Valencia. It's going to be a great competition. I hope Carolina Kluft will do it."

Garrett Johnson broke Geoff Capes' 31-year-old championship record in the shot put with a throw of 20.66m.

Allan Scott won the 60m hurdles in 7.61 seconds, while Lewis was the clear winner in the pole vault with a stadium record of 5.61 metres.

He said: "It's not easy on your own, but I felt good. I managed the surface really well. I struggled on this surface in Manchester a couple of weeks ago, but today was a lot better."

Marilyn Okoro was the fastest qualifier in the women's 800m in 2mins 04.85secs, with Richard Hill quickest in the men's equivalent in 1:51.69, as European bronze medallist Sam Ellis just squeezed in.

Joice Maduaka won her first 200m title, with Chris Clarke taking the men's equivalent, while Nick McCormick won the men's 3000m.

Former Commonwealth champion Mike East qualified for Sunday's 1500m final, along with James McIlroy.

Richard Buck is fastest through in the 400m, with Melanie Purkiss leading the way in the women's event.

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