A Norwegian show jumper has lost his appeal over a ban and fine for using a prohibited substance on his horse.
Tony Andre Hansen appealled to the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS) in January after the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) banned him from competition for 135 days and ordered he be fined Swiss Francs 3,000 (£1,870) with Swiss Francs 8,000 (£4,900) legal costs.
Mr Hansen’s horse Camiro tested positive for the banned substance capsaicin — along with four other show jumpers‘ mounts — at the Beijing Olympic Games in August 2008.
The Norwegian Olympic show jumping team was stripped of its bronze medals won at Hong Kong as a result of the FEI tribunal’s ruling on 22 December 2008.
Mr Hansen denied using capsaicin and appealed to the CAS after his suspension had been served.
But today the court confirmed both the ban and its knock-on effects on the Norwegian team should stand.
FEI secretary general Alex McLin said: “The FEI welcomes the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“The fact that the CAS has ruled in FEI’s favour in this long and vigorously contested case demonstrates that the FEI judicial process is fair, thorough and respects the rights of the parties. The last pending Olympic equestrian case is now closed.”
