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By the start of the 2002 season, Baxter had already written British skiing record
books and earned himself a place amongst Men's slalom skiing elite. He entered
the 2002 Winter Olympic season ranked 11th in the world, the highest ever position
for a British alpine racer, and there was plenty more to come.
Although the 2002 season did not start off as well as Baxter had planned, by Wengen (13/1/02) he had returned to top 20 results (16th in Wengen and 18th in
Kitzbuehel) and despite the mixed season, Alain approached the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics confident of a top level
result. He seemed to have finally conquered the problems with his skis, he was mentally strong
and skiing better than ever.
The Winter Olympics 2002
In Salt Lake City, Alain Baxter made British Olympic history by becoming the first ever Briton to
win a medal in alpine skiing.
Baxter completed his 2nd run in 2nd place and proceeded to watch as racer after
racer failed to complete the rutted course or was simply not fast enough. With only
favourites Miller and Vidal left to go, Alain was assured of a 4th place. As Miller
failed to finish the course, the realisation dawned on Baxter that bronze was his.
Alain returned to his home town of Aviemore to a hero's welcome. He was paraded
through the streets on an open top bus cheered on by thousands of well wishers.
But only a few days later Alain received the phone call that turned his dream into
a nightmare. The sample that Alain produced after his Olympic slalom performance contained
traces of a banned substance, later revealed to be methamphetamine. After a two day appeal
hearing, the IOC announced on 21 March that Baxter was to return his bronze medal and
have his 3rd place removed from the record books. Baxter, who had so far maintained a dignified
silence, confirmed that the tiny trace of methamphetamine had originated from a US Vicks inhaler.
Seemingly identical to the British version but containing the banned substance found in his sample.
Alain assumed that both inhalers were the same - he didn't realise the price he would have to pay
for this oversight.
Alain and his legal team focused on the ongoing
battle to clear his name, which is detailed in full on the News section of this site. Alain
has had the full support of friends, fans, sponsors and the British skiing community. Hundreds
of messages of support were posted on his website. The International Ski Federation conceded that Baxter
took the substance unintentionally and imposed the minimum 3 month ban and Alain did his best to move on and concentrate on what he does best, skiing.
Alain had a season of mixed fortune in 2002.03 with several top 20 results, including 11th in the World Cup race in Shiga Kogen. He also won the 1st ever Europa Cup Knock Out Slalom in Obereggen and the Europa Cup Slalom in Germany.
The British Olympic Association confirmed that Baxter will be eligible for selection for Team GB at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. However there is a lot of racing to be done before then and Alain's
objectives for the coming season are to obtain a place on the podium during this years World Cup races, and the 2005 World Championship’s in Bormio.
Pre-season training has been good and with the Atomic Ski’s working well, Alain is very confident about the season ahead. Alain’s fitness is superb, and after coming 2nd in the last series of Superstars on the BBC, which allowed Alain to demonstrate his all round Athletic talent against top class athletes from other sports, Alain has been invited back to challenge again for the title. This exposure and the success he has achieved to date has made Alain a household name.
Alain is the highest ever world ranked GB skier and offers
the UK real chance of success not only in this year’s World
Cup programme but also in the 2006 Olympics in Turin.
Watch. Enjoy. Be a part of it.
The Baxter Clan logo
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