Fuel Added to Eventing Controversy Flame

Jan Mansfield

(L-R) USEF CEO John Long and President David O'Connor at this morning's news conference. photo © Janus Communications

(Special to EquestrianConnection.com)
Athens, August 22, 2004 - - - The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) held a press conference early this morning and Germany’s National Federation issued a terse statement following yesterday’s Court of Arbitration for Sport ruling which rescinded the eventing Gold medals awarded to the German team and to Bettina Hoy. The appeal was filed jointly by the National Olympic Committees of the U.S., France, and Great Britain.

At the news conference USEF president David O’Connor said, “From a sports point of view we really didn’t have a choice.” He said it is important that the rules be upheld, especially at the Olympics. “If it was allowed to continue on, the interpretation of the laws in the future would certainly be different.” A backup computer printout confirmed that Hoy had crossed the starting line twice in the jumping phase of the eventing competition..

O’Connor said the incident would never have happened if the ground jury had dealt with the situation immediately on the field of play.  “We wouldn’t be having this press conference and we wouldn’t be discussing the loss of a medal for a terrific rider.  It is bittersweet for us to be able to take these medals,” he said.

O’Connor also said, “I think the FEI has to look into the appeal process and how it has to remain independent.  The FEI is supposed to create a level playing field.”  USEF CEO, Long said a press release issued by the FEI disagreeing with the CAS decision is arrogant and inappropriate.  “I would go so far as to say that it’s insulting to all of the countries involved,” he said.

“It’s a difficult situation and it takes something away from our athletes and from the British and the French when our international governing body says it doesn’t agree with the decision by CAS.”

The German statement said that the National Federation (FN), the German Olympic Comittee for Equestrian (DOKR) and the members of the three Olympic Equestrian disciplines Dressage, Jumping and Eventing “regret deeply the decision of the Court of Arbitration . . .”  It goes on to say, “It is a fact: Sportswise the German team as well as Bettina Hoy have proven that they should have earned their medals. And this is what will be remembered in history.”

Long said that the various federations worked to ensure that this won’t become a country-to-country issue.  “I think that the relationship is as strong as it always has been and in some ways, in a strange way has been improved, because we never let this issue get in the middle of the relationship between the countries.”

No decision has been made yet on how the medals will be re-awarded.  The Team Gold now goes to France, Silver to Great Britain and Bronze to the USA.  Leslie Law (GBR) gets the individual Gold, Kimberly Severson (USA) the Silver and Pippa Funnel (GBR) the Bronze.

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Equestrian journalist Jan Mansfield is attending the Olympics under accreditation from Gaitpost Magazine.  Known for her ability to find interesting behind-the-scenes stories, Jan brings extensive knowledge and insight into covering the equestrian events. Jan will also be sending stories and photos from other venues in Athens as she works on her assignments with various mainstream publications. Jan can be reached at januscom@shaw.ca