The Equestrian Federation of Ireland yesterday received from the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) a notification that the (A) sample taken from the horse Waterford Crystal at the Olympic Games following the individual show jumping competition, has proved positive for prohibited substances.
We have since spoken to the FEI and to the rider of the horse, Cian O'Connor, concerning this issue.
Mr O'Connor is exercising his right of due process in accordance with FEI Regulations, and will request that the (B) sample taken from the horse in Athens also be tested.
Mr O'Connor has asked us to make this statement on his behalf: "I am utterly devastated that the Sample (A) taken from my horse at the Games has tested positive. That notion amounts to cheating, and I am not a cheat. I plan to have the (B) sample tested as soon as possible and to proceed from there with the FEI. I believe that I won this medal fair and square and that the horse has not been given anything that would make him jump better.
"I wish to assure everyone that I have competed honestly and honourably both for myself and my country. It is particularly important to me that those who have supported me, including my family, my sponsors, the SJAI and the EFI, know and accept this. I am fully aware of the FEI rules, and I know that I must take responsibility for any medication administered to my horse. I am very professional, and take everything extremely seriously, both veterinary matters and the stable management at this level of competition.
"I absolutely believe that no performance-enhancing drugs were given to the horse.
"I must wait until the (B) sample is analysed before I can make a detailed case to the authorities, and until this process is concluded, any further comment from me may be unhelpful to my case. In the light of the support given to me by the people of Ireland, it is my duty to inform them of my situation, and therefore I have postponed my Olympic engagements until this matter has been resolved."
Mr O'Connor has informed the EFI that on July 22, 2004, before the Olympic Games, his horse (Waterford Crystal) had incurred a mild fetlock injury, and after assessment, his vet, Mr James Sheeran MVB MRCVS, had advised hydrotherapy treatment, which involves confinement in an enclosed hydrotherapy unit. Since the horse was in peak fitness, it was feared that he may injure himself during the treatment, so the veterinary surgeon prescribed mild sedation.
The sedative, therefore, was essential, in Mr Sheeran's opinion, to prevent any further injury, and was given to aid the welfare of the horse, and in no way to enhance its performance.
Mr O'Connor was told by his vet that the sedative drug would disperse from the horse's system within 10 to 14 days, and was not in any case a factor that would influence performance. Mr Sheeran has told the EFI: "From all of my research I cannot understand how the medication prescribed by me, found in the (A) sample, could still be present in the horse's system over a month later. I can categorically state that the medication administered by me was not a performance-enhancing substance, but was used after careful consideration, in the best interests of the horse's welfare, over a month before the Games. Any residue that may have existed in the horse's system at the time of the Olympic Games would certainly have no therapeutic influence, good or bad."
EFI president Avril Doyle said today: "The Equestrian Federation of Ireland does not condone under any circumstances the use of prohibited substances in competition.
"However, the federation stands behind Cian O'Connor in his bid to clarify the situation, and respects his right of due process."
Neither the Equestrian Federation of Ireland nor Cian O'Connor will be making any further comment on this matter until such times as the findings of the FEI are completed.
We would ask the media to respect the seriousness of this matter and not ask the EFI nor Cian O'Connor to elaborate any further on what is contained in this press release, until the FEI give their final adjudication on the matter to the EFI.
We would also refer all media to the FEI's statement issued today on this same subject, obtainable from the FEI website www.horsesport.org