Government considers tax waiver for Bolt

(GETTY IMAGES)

The sports Minister, Hugh Robertson, has said he could intervene after the Olympic and world 100m and 200m champion Usain Bolt decided not to compete in London next month for tax reasons.

Bolt has said he would not run at the Diamond League meeting because of Britain's tax rules, but Robertson suggested yesterday that 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. "It's a problem we've come across and addressed with other sports and if they write to me I will take it up with the Treasury.

"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."