August 21, 2008 — The following combinations will not compete in the Olympic individual jumping final tonight, according to a press release from the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI). They have been provisionally suspended by the FEI because of doping/medication control tests that indicated the presence of capsaicin in each horse.
Rider/Horse
Bernardo Alves (BRA)/Chupa Chup
Christian Ahlmann (GER)/Cöster
Denis Lynch (IRL)/Latinus
Tony Andre Hansen (NOR)/Camiro
Capsaicin is classified as a doping prohibited substance given its hypersensitizing properties, and as a medication class A prohibited substance for its pain relieving properties.
As previously communicated, the FEI provisionally suspends all competitors who test positive in doping or positive medication cases at the Olympic Games in the interests of the integrity of the sport.
As a clarification, Will Simpson and Carlsson vom Dach did not have a positive drug test as has been reported in the foreign media. Per the Olympic rules, a maximum of three riders per nation are allowed to jump in the individual portion of the competition. Simpson was the fourth placed U.S. combination so that is why he did not jump.
Christian Ahlmann was notified of his suspension August 20 after receipt of the test results by the FEI from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Laboratory. A preliminary hearing was held this morning before a member of the FEI Tribunal who confirmed the suspension.
The other riders were notified earlier today after receipt of their positive test results this morning. All three of them were provisionally suspended. Preliminary hearings were held with the respective national federations before a member of the FEI Tribunal who confirmed the suspensions.
Confirmatory analysis of the B-samples will be carried out very shortly according to the accelerated procedure in place for the Olympic Games. Upon report of a positive B-sample result, evidence and written submissions will be requested from the rider, and a three member panel of the FEI Tribunal will be appointed. This panel should take a decision as to the applicable sanctions as early as possible further to the accelerated procedure and provide for a hearing to be held as necessary. The competition results will be amended as indicated in the Tribunal’s final decision.
