Skiing: Baxter's prolonged case for defence

Alain Baxter went back into hiding yesterday without being told whether he will be allowed to keep Britain's first Olympic skiing medal.

Baxter left the International Olympic Committee headquarters in Lausanne just over an hour after the start of the second session into his positive drugs test, leaving senior British Olympic Association officials Craig Reedie and Simon Clegg, plus Baxter's legal team, to argue again the 28-year-old's case at the disciplinary hearing in front of five IOC executive members.

On Friday night they spent just over three hours trying to convince the initial inquiry of Baxter's innocence.

The Scot tested positive for the banned stimulant methamphetamine following his surprise bronze medal display in the slalom at Salt Lake City. It is believed he has argued that he ingested the drug unwittingly through a nasal spray bought over the counter in the United States. Baxter has also used the same spray brand in the United Kingdom, where it does not contain any illegal substances.

It is thought that yesterday's hearing was less complex than Friday's marathon session and that the IOC heard the full argument without indicating their likely response.

Baxter has shied from publicity since news of the positive test first emerged last week. He left the hearing alone and in silence. The BOA were equally reluctant to speak on the controversy, although they will offer a formal reply to the final IOC decision which is expected some time next week.

The IOC disciplinary panel, believed to have included former pole vault Olympic champion Sergei Bubka, should make their recommendations to the full 10-member executive board today. The executive will then spend a couple of days deliberating the matter before releasing their findings.

However, no matter how convincing Baxter's arguments, the IOC's "strict liability" rule means it is unlikely the skier will keep his medal. The best outcome it seems he can hope for is a reduction in the two-year competition ban which is meted out automatically for drugs offences.

Baxter's mother, Sue Dickson, travelled from her home in France to support her son last night but is unlikely to make further contact until the final outcome is known.