The International Olympic Commission today warned skier Alain Baxter it is "extremely unlikely" he will be able to prove his innocence at the hearing over his positive drugs test.
The Scot claimed the bronze medal in the men's slalom at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
But he was stunned to hear he had tested positive for methamphetamine -- and will now face the IOC's medical panel this week, possibly on Wednesday in Zurich.
And today, amid suggestions Baxter's use of a nasal spray or inhaler could have led to the positive test, the IOC's Professor Arne Ljundqvist revealed the skier is unlikely to be able to prove he did not take drugs.
Ljundqvist told BBC Radio 5 Live's SportsWeek programme: "Once you test positive for banned substances, you're in a very difficult position to clear yourself.
"It's very rare they actually tell us the full story or admit they have taken this or that. Some come up with various types of stories and I would say its extremely unlikely a person can prove they haven't taken anything."
However, the British Olympic Association have pledged to offer a stern defence for Baxter.
PA