Ludger Beerbaum’s comments to German media caused the German equestrian federation to dissolve the Olympic teams. (Getty Images) (ATR) Germany must rebuild its Olympic equestrian program after the equestrian federation dissolved its Olympic teams following a string of doping allegations.
The move came after four time Olympic champion Ludger Beerbaum all but admitted to doping in German media. Beerbaum said "in the past I had the attitude: anything that isn't found is allowed." He added he was willing “to exhaust everything possible” to win. Beerbaum was suspended indefinitely by the FN for the comments.
Beerbaum’s admission was the latest in a series of doping scandals plaguing German horse sport. Since the Beijing Olympics, several horses have failed drug tests, prompting the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to form an Ethics Panel in early May to investigate the team.
Speaking to Around the Rings, a spokeswoman for the FEI said at the moment, the federation will only pursue disciplinary actions against certain individuals within the team and not the entire team.
“The Tribunal is looking at this now and we will have an update soon” the spokeswoman The FEI is calling for the suspension of rider Marco Kutscher. (Getty Images) said. She added “the investigation is ongoing so I can not speculate on what the findings will be and on the basis of those findings what the sanctions will be.”
According to a statement on FEI’s Web site, the federation has called for suspensions of riders Marco Kutscher and Björn Nolting, and team official Hanfried Haring.
Part of the new regulations to clean up the team require potential riders to face a German Olympic Committee (DOSB) panel to “speak about his attitude and behavior as a top rider."
DOSB Director General Michael Vesper said this was a good first step saying “I welcome this move. It is a radical step by the FN."
The DOSB will oversee the rebuilding efforts of the Olympic equestrian team.
Disbanding the team will likely have serious financial ramifications for the FN. The federation was in negotiations over television broadcasting rights this month. German networks were waiting to see the result of the investigation into allegations of doping before signing any deals.
Written by Ed Hula III.
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