MR ALAIN BAXTER AND HIS OLYMPIC MEDAL

Early day motion 1061, tabled 25 March 2002 by Pete Wishart (Scottish National Party). Signed by 17 members.

That this House believes that Scottish skier and British bronze medallist Alain Baxter should not have had his medal revoked by the International Olympic Committee, and while deploring misuse of drugs in sport has absolutely no reason to doubt Mr Baxter's explanation that the methamphetamine substance entered his system through the totally innocent means of a US Vicks Vapor Inhaler; notes news reports that a letter from the testing laboratory said that the level of methamphetamine was so little that it could not have enhanced Mr Baxter's performance; regrets that the IOC did not take a more lenient view of this case; expresses its hope that Mr Baxter will not be banned from future sporting events; and further believes that Alain Baxter has behaved with dignity throughout this difficult period and remains a strong sporting role model for youngsters in Scotland and throughout the United Kingdom.

Signatures by party: Labour 8, Scottish National Party 4, Liberal Democrat 2, Conservative 1, Labour/Co-operative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.