IOC clears British cyclist of deliberate crash

LONDON (AP) -- The International Olympic Committee says it has no plans to investigate comments by a British track cycling gold medalist who suggested that he crashed on purpose early in the race.

Philip Hindes told reporters that the strategy in the team sprint final was "if we have a bad start, we need to crash to get a restart."

The 19-year-old wobbled starting the three-lap race against France and fell at the first bend. The British trio won the restarted race.

Spokesman Mark Adams says the IOC agrees with cycling's governing body that "the result is not in question."

Adams says the incident is different from the four women's badminton pairs who were disqualified for playing to lose. He says the "best efforts" were made by the British team."

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