Britain launched their latest gold medal bid in the Athens Holiday Inn this afternoon as they attempted to overturn Bettina Hoy’s victory in the three-day event.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport will sit in judgement on the joint claim by Britain, France and the United States that German Hoy should have a 14-point penalty imposed for twice passing through the start gate in the second of three show-jumping rounds on Wednesday.

If the appeal is upheld by the three-man CAS panel, comprising South Africa’s Deon van Zyl, Cananda’s Richard McLaren and Greece’s Pantelis Dedes, then British rider Leslie Law will be handed the individual gold and Pippa Funnell will move up from fourth into bronze medal position.

In addition, Germany would also lose the team gold to France, with Britain taking silver rather than bronze.

Hoy, who lives in Gloucestershire but competes for Germany, would lose gold medals from the individual and team events.

While Law, Funnell and the rest of the five-man British team have now returned home following completion of their competition, chef de mission Simon Clegg was among those giving evidence to the panel.

A verdict, binding on all parties, is not expected until tomorrow, but Clegg is convinced the British team have a cast iron case.

”As I understand it, once a rider crosses the start line the time starts, it is as black and white as that,” said Clegg.

”If we feel an injustice has occurred, we have a responsibility to our athletes to try and put it right.

”There was complete unanimity between the countries affected that this was an incorrect decision.”