Olympic Gold Medalist Suspended After Controversial Video

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Madz Dizon | Last updated Dec 6, 2024 9:15 AM ET

British Olympic gold medalist in equestrian sports Charlotte Dujardin has been banned from competition for one year following a controversial video that showed her allegedly whipping a horse.

The Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) announced the suspension on Thursday, following an investigation into the video, which led to her withdrawal from the Paris Olympics earlier this year.

The suspension, which was backdated to July 2024, means Dujardin will not be able to compete until July 2025, according to BBC Sport.

Dujardin, who has won six Olympic medals, expressed deep regret over the incident.

"I fully respect the verdict issued by the Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI), released today. As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again," she said in a statement posted on Instagram.

"This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me during this time," she continued.

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A post shared by Charlotte Dujardin (@charlotte_dujardincbe)

The controversy began when a former student of Dujardin’s reported the incident to the FEI, per People. The video, which was recorded four years ago, shows Dujardin allegedly whipping a horse more than 24 times during a coaching session.

The former student filed a complaint, claiming that Dujardin's actions were abusive, according to The Guardian. Dujardin acknowledged the mistake, stating that the video was a result of "an error of judgment" during the session.

The FEI stated that while Dujardin’s actions were concerning, they viewed the video as an isolated incident, per the Associated Press.

The governing body also emphasized that the suspension was intended to "send a clear message" about the importance of animal welfare in equestrian sports. The suspension also included a fine of around $11,300.

Dujardin has accepted the FEI's sanctions and confirmed she would not appeal the decision. The one-year ban is a clear signal that the sport takes issues of animal welfare seriously and will take action to uphold its standards.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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