BEIJING 2008: Bernardo Alves, Christian Ahlmann, Denis Lynch and Tony Hansen suspended for doping

This FEI press release contains an update on two issues: doping / medication cases at the 2008 Olympic Games and the report by the second FEI Vice President on Dressage.

DOPING CASES

The following combinations will not be competing in the Jumping individual final competition held tonight (Thursday, 21 August). They have been provisionally suspended by the FEI further to doping/medication control tests that indicated the presence of capsaicin in each horse.

FOUR COMBINATIONS SUSPENDED

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.

Christian Ahlmann was notified of his suspension yesterday evening (Wednesday, 20 August) further to receipt of the test results by the FEI from the Hong Kong Jockey Club Laboratory yesterday afternoon.

A preliminary hearing was held at 10h00 this morning (21 August) before a member of the FEI Tribunal who confirmed the suspension.

The other riders – Tony Andre Hansen, Bernardo Alves, Denis Lynch – were notified earlier today (21 August) further to receipt of their positive test results this morning. All three of them were provisionally suspended.

Norway could lose their team bronze medal, their first ever, after Tony Andre Hansen's horse Camiro failed a test. He had led the individual standings after the first three rounds.

Preliminary hearings were held with the respective National Federations in the following order: 14h00 – Brazil; 15h00 – Ireland; 16h00 – Norway. The hearings were held before a member of the FEI Tribunal who confirmed the suspension.

FURTHER STEPS

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 providing for a hearing to be held as necessary. The competition results will be amended as indicated in the Tribunal’s final decision.