Flash! Mark Foster’s Appeal Is Rejected

LONDON, May 30. AN independent panel unanimously rejected British sprinter Mark Foster's appeal of British Swimming's decsion not to name him to the 2004 British Olympic team, according to breaking stories on BBC Sport and The Scotsman.

Foster, 34, a four-time Olympian is the former world record-holder in the 50 meter freestyle and 50 meter butterfly. At last summer's World Championships in Barcelona, he won silver in the 50 free.

At last month's British Olympic Trials, Foster won the 50 free in 22.49 seconds, well under the Olympic qualifying standard but 7-hundredths of a second shy of the standard National Team Director Bill Sweetenham had established to be named to the British Olympic Team.

Foster appealed but his appeal was rejected twice. He has no more legal or administrative recourse.

British Swimming said in a statement they recognized the decision would be "a massive disappointment" to Foster but they hoped he would continue to represent Great Britain in future events.

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