Police quiz Olympic athlete's boyfriend

Ashia Hansen: One of the UK's leading women athletes

The white boyfriend of the black British international athlete Ashia Hansen is being held by police in connection with what was said to have been a "racist" attack in which he was stabbed.

It is understood that Chris Cotter was arrested with two other people on Friday by West Midlands Police.

It is also believed that the detectives are no longer treating the stabbing as a racially motivated incident.

Stabbed and slashed

In March, Mr Cotter was stabbed three times in the back and slashed across the forehead. He claimed he was attacked by a gang of up to five men as he parked his car near the home of Ms Hansen at Erdington in Birmingham.

Chris Cotter: Under investigation

One gang member was said to have shouted racist abuse at him about his relationship with Ms Hansen.

She is considered a favourite for a gold medal in the triple jump at the Sydney Olympics this autumn.

A spokesman for the West Midlands Police refused to say whether Mr Cotter was one of those under arrest.

We can confirm that we have arrested three people in connection with the attack on Mr Cotter. Detectives are currently interviewing them in relation to this serious matter.

West Midlands Police

He said: "We can confirm that we have arrested three people in connection with the attack on Mr Cotter. Detectives are currently interviewing them in relation to this serious matter."

The morning after the attack on Mr Cotter, Ms Hansen was sent four racist letters and the couple went into hiding.

Hansen and Cotter went into hiding

Three other high-profile black male British athletes received similar letters the following week.

At that stage, detectives said they regarded the attack and the "poison pen" campaign as the work of a far-right group.