Vanessa-Mae wins battle ... to be declared a loser!
IT MIGHT not seem like much of a boast, but to international violinist Vanessa-Mae, pictured below, it is one of the most important victories of her life.
Last night she announced that her last place in the women’s giant slalom at the 2014 Winter Olympics had been officially reinstated after a two-year battle.
Competing on behalf of Thailand – where her father was born – the 37-year-old famously came 67th out of 67 in the ski race in Sochi, almost a minute behind the winner.
But, despite being praised for her have-a-go-spirit, months after the Games ended, she was accused of rigging specially arranged qualifying races in Slovenia.
The International Ski Federation (FIS) banned her from racing for four years and cancelled the results of her qualifying races – a move that disqualified her from Sochi retrospectively.
Incensed by the accusations, Vanessa vowed to fight to clear her name and she has spent the last two years – and more than 200,000 Swiss francs (around €184,000) – doing so.
Just last year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport announced that there was insufficient evidence to accuse Vanessa of any corruption.
She was awarded just 4,000 Swiss francs (around €3,700) in compensation from FIS. However, the Sochi disqualification remained.
But just days ago, in what is almost certainly the first time an athlete has asked for a last place to be reinstated, the International Olympic Committee ruled her disqualification should be overturned. She told the Mail on Sunday she might even try to qualify for the Winter Olympics in 2018 – and attempt to come second to last place. She plans to take legal action against FIS. She said: ‘I’m over the moon that I’m still an Olympian – it’s fantastic news and such a positive start to 2016!’