British sport is in crisis in the run-up to the Olympics, with one of its key figures forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a scandal that threatens to end her career: equestrian Charlotte Dujardin has announced she will not compete at Paris 2024 as a result of an investigation into a video showing her whipping a student’s horse on the legs during a training session.
The multiple Olympic medallist, who is the highest-ranking female athlete in British sporting history with six medals, said she made an “error of judgement” in the event filmed four years ago, as first reported by Dutch website horses.nl. The complaint to the FEI and the British Equestrian Federation (FEB) came from a Dutch lawyer representing a client, according to the PA news agency.
“A video emerged four years ago showing me making a mistake in judging during a training session,” the athlete said in a statement to the Palestinian Authority. “It is understood that the FEI is investigating the matter and I have taken the decision to withdraw from all competitions – including the Paris Olympics – while this process is taking place,” Dujardin added.
“What happened was completely out of character for me and does not reflect the way I train my horses or my students,” the rider said. “However, there is no excuse. I feel very ashamed and should have set a better example.”
Dujardin, Britain’s most decorated Olympic athlete alongside Laura Kenny with six medals, apologised for her actions and for letting Team UK and its sponsors down, while pledging to cooperate with the investigation.
The rider who was to compete in individual and team dressage will be replaced by Becky Moody in Class 2.
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