British Olympic skier tests positive

The only British skiier to have brought a medal home from the Winter Olympics has tested positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Alain Baxter, 28, from Aviemore, Scotland, said he was "entirely innocent" and had "never knowingly taken any medicine or substance to improve my performance."

The British Olympic Association was informed of the positive test for methamphetamine on March 1 and today issued a statement on behalf of the slalom bronze medallist.

In the statement, Baxter, who won bronze in the men's slalom at the Salt Lake City Winter Games last month, said: "Late on Friday afternoon I was telephoned by Simon Clegg, Team GB's Chef de Mission, who told me that he had been advised by the International Olympic Committee's Inquiry Commission that the sample I had produced following my slalom performance at the games contained traces of a banned substance.

"Naturally I am devastated by this news."

The Scotsman added: "I have never knowingly taken any medicine or substance to improve my performance and as such believe that I am entirely innocent.

"I am now working with lawyers and medical experts to present my case ... with a view to defending myself successfully against the charges of doping."

He added that he would not be making any further statements until the committee had reached a decision on his case.

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