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Alain Baxter, the man who famously won then lost Britain's first Olympic medal in Alpine skiing, has announced his retirement after injuries resulted in him abandoning his bid to race at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver next year.

Baxter, 35, made history when he won bronze in the men's slalom at the 2002 Games only to be stripped of the medal following a failed drugs test.

He was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing after explaining the methamphetamine found in his system was an ingredient in the US brand of Vicks inhalers, which he had used to treat a cold. But he failed in an appeal against the loss of his medal.

Baxter said: "It has been a privilege to represent Scotland and Great Britain at the top level of international ski racing for more than 20 years.

"I had always planned to make it to Vancouver for the 2010 Olympics but this is the first year I have felt that my injuries could have prevented me from performing to the best of my ability.

"Naturally, winning then losing an Olympic bronze medal in 2002 was one of the happiest and lowest points of my career."

Alain Baxter: Career highlights

Seven times British slalom champion

Five in a row GS champion

Best world ranking - 4th

Best World Cup Slalom - 4th

Best finish - 4th

Best overall Slalom ranking - 11th

Olympic starts - 3

World Cup starts - 88

Europa Cup starts - 96

Europa Cup victories - 2

AFP