UK Athletics calls for tax change after Bolt blow

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Britain's tax laws should be changed to stop the world's top athletes staying away, UK Athletics said on Wednesday in the wake of Usain Bolt's decision not to run at London's Diamond League meeting.

The Jamaican Olympic and world 100m and 200m champion said on Monday he would skip next month's event because of Britain's stringent tax laws.

"It is regrettable that two years out from our home Olympic Games that British sports fans are denied the chance to see this amazing talent in action," UK Athletics said in a statement.

"However, this is an issue facing all major sporting events in the UK and we are, along with a number of other sports, continuing to work towards a resolution that will secure his presence at our events in future.

"Football Champions League and the London 2012 Olympics have secured an exemption to this law and we would hope we can follow this precedent."

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 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.

Sports minister Hugh Robertson said on Tuesday he would take up the issue, adding that the 2012 Olympics bill had cleared overseas athletes to compete in London in two years without being taxed.

World record holder Bolt's absence is a huge blow to Fast Track, the promoters of London's Diamond League meeting at Crystal Palace, and UK Athletics.

"We are hugely disappointed on behalf of both Usain and athletics fans in the UK that he is unable to compete at the Aviva London Grand Prix because of UK tax laws," UK Athletics said.

"Usain has always enjoyed competing in the UK and has often referred to London as a home from home due to the reception he gets each and every time he performs here."

It was hoped that Bolt would have gone up against main rivals Asafa Powell and Tyson Gay, both of whom are still competing.