Astrid Loch-Wilkinson has her sights set on the bobsleigh event in Vancouver.

Contributed

SUNSHINE COAST bobsleigher Astrid Loch-Wilkinson will compete at the Winter Olympic Games after her appeal was upheld in the Court of Arbitration for Sport this morning.

Loch-Wilkinson and teammate Cecilia McIntosh were initially denied a spot in the games despite fulfilling the sport's qualification requirements.

The Australian Olympic Committee successfully argued a team from Oceania should be allocated a place in the women's two-man bobsleigh event which starts on February 23.

The CAS recommended that the Australian team be added as a 21st team, meaning the Irish team should not lose its spot.

Yesterday the Court of Arbitration for Sport held over a decision on her appeal. The Australian Olympic Committee had argued Loch-Wilkinson and Cecilia McIntosh were entitled to a start in the women’s two-man bobsleigh, as the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (FIBT) had failed to award a place to a team from the Oceania region.

The AOC believed the FIBT was not upholding its IOC-approved qualifying rules, which state that 18 two-person teams qualify and then two places must be reserved for teams from Oceania and Asia.

For its part, the FIBT argued that Australia was already represented by male athletes in the bobsleigh events in Vancouver.

Loch-Wilkinson said shortly after the case was held over: “I believe the hearing was quite fair and allowed all parties equal opportunity to present their case.

“Our case seemed to have the most factual grounding and was strong. The solicitors representing the AOC argued an excellent case and were well prepared.

“The FIBT did not seem to have any justification for the decisions they made and we hope this will be seen by the arbitrators.

“I believe we will get a good outcome from this, but it is at the end of the day a decision that is out of our hands and could go either way.”

Loch-Wilkinson said she was confident of a positive verdict and hopeful they would be granted an extra spot in the Games instead of displacing the Irish team.

“It was also a very confronting day with the Irish representation,” she said.

“We are friends with the Irish and never intended to argue their exclusion from the Games. It is in the best interest of all involved that we are simply added as a 21st team.”

Olympic Council of Ireland president Patrick Hickey launched a stinging attack over the issue.

“There wouldn’t be a riot (if the Irish were omitted) but there would be a lots of protests,” he said.

“We are a bit astounded being attacked by Australia as we have always seen it as a very friendly country, but here we are and our athletes are in the firing line and it’s just not very nice.”

Caloundra product Chris Spring will represent Australia in the men’s two-man bobsleigh.