Skater's World Championship blow

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A Dundee skater has been told he will not be allowed to compete in the World Championships after a court ruling.

A judge has stated that Matthew Parr, 19, was wrongly given a space at the competition, which starts on Sunday in Los Angeles, ahead of Elliot Hilton.

Hilton went to court to force the sport's ruling body to select him, arguing that rules had been broken when Parr was chosen ahead of him.

The championships are seen as an important part in Olympic selection.

Lawyers for Hilton had told Mr Justice Eady at London's High Court that the National Ice Skating Association (Nisa) was contractually obliged to select Hilton, who had beaten Parr "fairly and squarely" at two competitions identified in the criteria.

'Fall apart'

The court was told Hilton had lost an opportunity at a "crucial" stage in his career which could irretrievably damage his chances of being selected for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

Nisa argued that overturning the decision would be unfair to Parr, who some considered a better prospect, and result in other disappointed skaters claiming that they too ought to be chosen.

Its counsel, James Mather, said: "The team could, to some extent, fall apart at the last minute. Certainly, morale could be severely harmed."

Mr Justice Eady recognised that it would be "devastating" and "distressing" for Parr if he was not allowed to go.

However, he stated that Hilton's career would also be affected should he not be able to compete and that Nisa should be made to comply with its own clear criteria and contractual obligations.