Skier says he won’t accept Baxter’s bronze

Published on Friday 22 March 2002 00:00

THE Austrian skier who finished behind fallen Scottish Olympic hero Alain Baxter is set to refuse to accept his bronze medal.

With the Olympic committee having decided to strip Baxter of his award, rules state the medal should pass to the next in line - fourth place giant slalom finisher Benjamin Raich.

But it is believed Raich will today announce he will decline the medal in support of Baxter who tested positive for a banned substance after his heroic performance in Salt Lake City.

Baxter, 28, from Aviemore, said he would be talking to his lawyers about a possible appeal after the International Olympic Committee yesterday ruled he would have to hand back his medal.

He refused to confirm whether he would launch an official appeal but remained defiant today, saying: "I think we can still prove them wrong."

He added: "I think we have got a good case."

Baxter, the first British athlete to win an Olympic skiing medal, tested positive for methamphetamine after his surprise third-place finish in the slalom on February 23. He was hailed a hero on his return to Aviemore following his medal win and hundreds of residents turned out to greet him.

But his Olympic dream began to turn sour within days when it was announced he had tested positive for a banned substance.

The decision to take the bronze from him was announced by the chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), Craig Reedie, at a news conference in London. Mr Reedie said: "The British Olympic Association is very disappointed at the decision reached by the IOC."

The committee has ordered Baxter be disqualified from the event and that the BOA was requested to return the medal and the diploma given to the athlete no later than March 31.