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Sports minister to look at Bolt withdrawal
Reuters - Tue, 13 Jul 14:27:00 2010
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Britain's sports minister Hugh Robertson said he could intervene after Olympic and world 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt decided to miss next month's Diamond League meeting in London for tax reasons.
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On Monday Bolt said he would not run at the event because of Britain's prohibitive tax rules but Robertson suggested he could work something out with UK Athletics and promoters Fast Track.
"I've not had a direct approach from either the sport's governing body or the promoters of the Crystal Palace meeting so I don't know exactly what we are dealing with here," Robertson said in an interview on BBC radio.
"It is a problem we have come across and addressed with other sports and clearly if they write to me I will take it up with the treasury. It's a problem across other sports.
"Golfers and tennis players have come to me, and I'm pretty sure that at the back end of the 2012 Olympic bill is a commitment not to tax overseas stars who come over to compete in the Olympics.
"If there is a particular problem (with Bolt) I'm happy to look at it and see if I can help."
Bolt's agent said discussions were ongoing about the issue.
"I am in regular contact with the organisers of the London Grand Prix who are working on this situation," Ricky Simms said.
"Usain loves running in London as it is a world class meet and there are always a lot of Jamaicans in the crowd. We hope to get the issue resolved as soon as possible."
The British tax system means that Bolt would be taxed on his earnings at the lucrative event and also on a proportion of his huge personal endorsements throughout the year, even though he does not reside in Britain.
It is a system that has already undermined Britain's attempts to host some major sports events, including this year's Champions League final which was staged in Madrid rather than Wembley.
Robertson, however, said that it might be too late to prevent the world's fastest man taking on Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay in a mouthwatering 100m in London.
"Ideally (he will be at Crystal Palace) which is why I say when they write to me, I will see what I can do. Three weeks doesn't give us a whole lot of time to organise a tax concession."
UK Athletics and Fast Track were both unavailable for comment.
Reuters - Tue, 13 Jul 14:27:00 2010
Buzz Up!
Britain's sports minister Hugh Robertson said he could intervene after Olympic and world 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt decided to miss next month's Diamond League meeting in London for tax reasons.
More Stories- Bolt to snub London for tax reasons
- Bolt excited by Powell meeting
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- Jeter has sympathy for Fraser
- Gay beats Powell in Gateshead
On Monday Bolt said he would not run at the event because of Britain's prohibitive tax rules but Robertson suggested he could work something out with UK Athletics and promoters Fast Track.
"I've not had a direct approach from either the sport's governing body or the promoters of the Crystal Palace meeting so I don't know exactly what we are dealing with here," Robertson said in an interview on BBC radio.
"It is a problem we have come across and addressed with other sports and clearly if they write to me I will take it up with the treasury. It's a problem across other sports.
"Golfers and tennis players have come to me, and I'm pretty sure that at the back end of the 2012 Olympic bill is a commitment not to tax overseas stars who come over to compete in the Olympics.
"If there is a particular problem (with Bolt) I'm happy to look at it and see if I can help."
Bolt's agent said discussions were ongoing about the issue.
"I am in regular contact with the organisers of the London Grand Prix who are working on this situation," Ricky Simms said.
"Usain loves running in London as it is a world class meet and there are always a lot of Jamaicans in the crowd. We hope to get the issue resolved as soon as possible."
The British tax system means that Bolt would be taxed on his earnings at the lucrative event and also on a proportion of his huge personal endorsements throughout the year, even though he does not reside in Britain.
It is a system that has already undermined Britain's attempts to host some major sports events, including this year's Champions League final which was staged in Madrid rather than Wembley.
Robertson, however, said that it might be too late to prevent the world's fastest man taking on Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay in a mouthwatering 100m in London.
"Ideally (he will be at Crystal Palace) which is why I say when they write to me, I will see what I can do. Three weeks doesn't give us a whole lot of time to organise a tax concession."
UK Athletics and Fast Track were both unavailable for comment.
Paul Marin -19 is one thing, 20 is a whole other matter. It gets even worse if they win the UCL. *groan*. 
05/18/2011.MU fans naah cough, but all a unuh a vomit?-Lazie 1/11/2015
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