Tax exemption for overseas athletes

Star athletes such as Usain Bolt will be exempt from paying income tax at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow next year.

Chancellor George Osborne announced the exemption in his Budget today, and also officially confirmed last month's announcement that the same exemption will be extended to the athletics event to be staged in London on the first anniversary of the Olympics.

Jamaican sprinter Bolt had not raced in Britain since 2009, apart from at the London Olympics, due to tax rules for overseas sports stars.

The exemption should now clear any obstacles for Bolt and other top athletes competing both at the London Anniversary Games - a weekend of Diamond League athletics on July 26-27 followed by a day of Paralympic events on July 28 - and at the Commonwealth Games.

Today's Budget stated: "Income tax exemptions for non-resident athletes - legislation will be introduced to exempt from UK income tax any income arising to non-resident competitors in relation to the London Anniversary Games in 2013 or the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014."

It is understood Sebastian Coe, the London 2012 chairman who is now the Government's Olympics legacy ambassador, had lobbied ministers for the tax exemptions to be brought in.

Sports Minister Hugh Robertson said: "The London Anniversary Games and 2014 Commonwealth Games are two sporting events that are major parts of the legacy from London 2012.

"We want both to attract the very best athletes to come and compete and this move helps us do that."

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