Naked Skier has Hopes for 2010 Olympics

Aside from being on Britian's Olympic team what does skier Alain Baxter have in common with cyclist Rebecca Romero, hurdlers Colin Jackson and Jacqui Agyepong, and heptathlon athlete Denise Lewis? Why, for various reasons they all appeared naked for camera shoots, of course.

Baxter became the first Briton to win an Olympic skiing medal in 2002 but was stripped of his bronze and banned for a 3 month period when a trace of lev-methamphetamine was found in his sample. The Scot, had the suspension lifted on appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after he proved the trace was from an over-the-counter Vicks inhaler. However, the medal was never returned because the drug was, in fact, in his system, no matter inadvertently.

The naked camera shoot is for a calendar Baxter hopes will spur interest by potential sponsors for much needed training funds. At one time rated 11th in the world in slalom Baxter has slipped to 130th yet has high hopes to return to Olympic form in time for the 2010 Vancouver Games - if he can get into serious training.

Married in 2006, Baxter's wife Sheila is said to have told him he needed more exposure on his comeback trail. I'm not sure if Sheila thought he'd take her advice to the "Full Monty."

Anyway, here's hoping Alain can raise enough for a good racing suit and anyone that might want to pass the lad a pound or two see Alain Baxter - The Highlander.

_{Alain Baxter Photo Copyright Mike Hewitt/Getty Images}