Vanessa-Mae: 'Serious doubts' over Sochi qualifier in Slovenia

Violinist Vanessa-Mae's qualification for the Sochi Winter Olympics is at the centre of an investigation over doubts about the validity of the event, says the Slovenia Ski Association (SAS).

Mae, 35, qualified days before the deadline after competing in the hastily-staged races in Slovenia.

Four Slovenian ski officials have been suspended but SAS director Yuri Zurej said no athletes are facing an inquiry.

"There is serious doubt about what happened in the race," said Zurej.

But, in an interview with Radio 5 live, he added: "We must state clearly that there is absolutely no proof any athlete, including Vanessa, was knowingly involved in any activities that would breach any of our rules or those of the International Ski Federation (FIS)."

Mae finished last of 67 competitors in the giant slalom, 50 seconds adrift of winner Tina Maze.

Mae's manager was not immediately available for comment.

Since releasing her first album at 13, Vanessa-Mae has sold more than 10 million albums

Zurej said a number of irregularities had been discovered.

Among them, the SAS was incorrectly named as co-organiser of the event, while one competitor was recorded to have finished fourth despite not actually being present.

"There are many doubts," added Zurej.

"When we checked the competition and all the data, we discovered that, on the results list on the second day of the competition, in fourth place there was a girl not even physically present at the course.

"Another example was of a girl who told us she fell in the race and then slowly continued to the finish line, but was recorded as finishing in second place.

"We were also told the weather conditions were impossible to compete in. but still the race was done."

The FIS says it could not comment until it had received the SAS's official report, which it expected to receive next week.

A spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee said it was "primarily a matter for the Slovenian Ski Federation and eventually FIS".

Mae competed at Sochi for Thailand under her father's name Vanakorn.

Mae, a British citizen, was born in Singapore to Thai and Chinese parents and moved to England at the age of four after her mother married a British lawyer.

She earned fame during her childhood with a series of performances on British television before going on to launch a successful solo career with album sales running into millions.