The International Ski Federation (FIS) Council met in Portoroz, Slovenia on Monday to decide on the sanction which will be applied to Alain Baxter, Britian's leading Alpine Ski racer. According to the FIS medical guide, they had to impose a sanction, following the IOC's notification of a positive doping test recorded after the men's Slalom event at the Salt Lake City Olympic Games 2002.

FIS Council agreed that the alleged prohibited substance found in Baxter's sample had been taken unintentionally - an offence which carries a three month ban for a first offence - and ruled that Baxter will be banned from further FIS competition until 15th December 2002, crucially forcing him to miss out on the opening World Cup event of the season.

John Clark, who has been coordinating the Baxter appeal while Alain attempts to focus on preparations for the season ahead, stated, "While an "unintentional use" ruling, at this stage, is welcomed, I am disappointed that the six week Southern Hemisphere season has been ignored in the FIS considerations, effectively imposing a ban of four and a half competition months. By December this case will have been hampering Baxter's career for eight months. However, I believe that the case we have submitted to CAS is a strong one and hope both the IOC and FIS decisions can ultimately be overturned."

Timing has been an issue throughout this case, with an uncommon delay between the race and the subsequent IOC ruling, compounded by a long wait for a mutually suitable CAS hearing. Baxter is currently digesting today's news and will decide in the coming weeks what, if any further action is to be taken.

However better news followed soon after the FIS announcement when The Court of Arbitration confirmed the 9th and 10th July as the hearing date, where Baxter hopes the accusations of cheating by use of performance enhancing drugs will be thrown out and his Olympic Slalom bronze medal will be returned.

A strong case has now been submitted and we await details of a likely date for hearing, we hope in July. Should Baxter win this case, the FIS sanction will also be reviewed.

CAS is the international Court of Arbitration in Sport and was established to allow independent arbitration of disputes between, among other issues, athletes and federations or as in Baxter's case the IOC.

John Clark feels very upbeat about the prospects for another big celebration in The Highlands come July.

"I'm glad that the IOC are now being brought to the table and that Alain's appeal will be heard by an independent tribunal. There have been many frustrating delays and Alain has done well to keep on track, training and testing equipment throughout this stressful time. CAS has, in the past, overruled decisions by the IOC to strip athletes of Olympic medals. Baxter's team of legal and scientific advisors are confident that the case they are submitting on his behalf will see a similar reversal and will secure the return of Britain's first ever Alpine Ski Olympic Medal."

However, a three month legal battle does not come cheap and legal costs are mounting daily, as the athlete struggles to regain his medal and clear his name. Contributions to the "Fighting Fund" have been received unprompted at the Ski Federation offices and initial fundraising events have been held. The funds will be held in trust and will offset the extensive legal costs.

Donations are invited to The Alain Baxter Appeal Fund at The Bank of Scotland (Sort Code - 80-11-30, Account Number - 00581301)

Alternatively, cheques made out to The Alain Baxter Appeal Fund can be sent direct to The British Ski & Snowboard Federation, Hillend, Biggar Road, Midlothian, EH10 7EF or credit card payments can be made to the team store.

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