Darren Campbell will race at the next Olympics in Beijing in 2008 to prove beyond doubt that he has the character of a champion.

The Mancunian sprinter was incensed at what he felt was an insinuation from BBC pundit Michael Johnson that he had faked a hamstring injury at these Games in Athens.

He had planned to retire after the competition in Greece but now plans to compete again at the age of 34.

"I had said to Clair (his partner) that I was going to retire and give more time to her and my two boys," he said.

"There is so much I want to do with my life. I wanted to be with them and enjoy my family. But I can't leave it like this.

"What Michael Johnson said about me not being injured and lying about it is not true and I have the proof of that. I am not a liar, I would not deceive my country. What I do, I do from the heart," he told the Daily Express.

"If I had lied about this hamstring injury how could I ever face my five-year-old, Aaryn, and be his dad, bringing him up with the values I believe in of honesty, decency and success by hard work?

"When I spoke to Clair about it and asked her for four more years, she said 'yes'."