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Although renowned as a world class athlete, inspirational speaker and undertaker of monumental physical feats of endurance in the name of charity, it would appear that Chinese Olympic officials were unable to identify Chiswick's James Cracknell from a photograph.

According to an email being circulated by the British Olympic Association, Cracknell's reputation has made little impression on the organisers of this summer’s Beijing games.

The world record breaking oarsman has had his accreditation for the games rejected by the Chinese authorities because of an apparent issue over the photograph sent with the application.

Although it could have been a simple error or oversight, certain quarters believe that China is becoming increasingly angry with western TV channels reporting from Tibet and that Cracknell's rejection was a retaliation.

The Evening Standard's theory is that "Far from being ignorant about Cracknell’s fame, maybe the authorities know him all too well."

April 3, 2008