‘Deeply ashamed’: Olympics legend quits in disgrace days before Paris Games

An Olympics legend has pulled out just days before the Paris Games with disturbing details behind her banishment coming to light.

British dressage star Charlotte Dujardin has withdrawn from the Paris Olympics after a video emerged showing her making “an error of judgement” during a coaching session.

Dujardin, a three-time Olympic champion and joint most decorated British woman Olympian, said she had withdrawn from all competition while authorities investigated the incident.

The widely circulated video appears to show her hitting a horse on the legs during a slow-motion trot.

“A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session,” she said in a statement.

“Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition — including the Paris Olympics —while this process takes place.

“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.”

Britain's Charlotte Dujardin. Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP.

A lawyer for the complainant has alleged that Dujardin hit the horse with a long whip more than 24 times in one minute during a lesson with a 19-year-old female student at her private stable.

The FEI, the sport’s governing body, has launched a probe into the incident and has issued the athlete with a provisional six-month ban.

“During this period of suspension, she is prohibited from participating in any activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or any competition or event under the jurisdiction of a National Federation (NF),” a FEI statement read.

“This also includes any FEI or NF-related activities. In addition, the British Equestrian Federation has mirrored this provisional suspension, which also makes Ms. Dujardin ineligible to compete in any national events during this period.

“Upon receiving the video, the FEI promptly initiated an investigation.

Silver medallist Germany's Isabell Werth, gold medallist Germany's Jessica von Bredow. Werndl and bronze medallist Britain's Charlotte Dujardin. Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP)

“As part of this investigation, Ms. Dujardin, British Equestrian, and British Dressage were informed of the allegations. Ms Dujardin was given a deadline of 17:00 Swiss time on 23 July to respond to the allegations.

“Subsequently, Ms. Dujardin confirmed that she is the individual depicted in the video and acknowledged that her conduct was inappropriate.

“On 23 July 2024, Charlotte Dujardin requested to be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the investigations and voluntarily withdrew from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and also confirmed that she will not participate in any competitions pending the outcome of the FEI’s investigation.”

Britain's Charlotte Dujardin riding Gio during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Photo by Behrouz MEHRI / AFP.

Tom Hunt And Charlotte Dujardin

Dujardin was eliminated from the European Championships in 2019 after blood was found on her horse, Mount St John Freestyle, in a post-competition check.

The FEI said the action taken then did not imply there was any intent to injure the horse.

Dujardin, 39, could have become Britain’s most decorated female Olympian in Paris. A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of Laura Kenny, with whom she is currently tied on six medals.

“I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete,” she said.

Dujardin was due to compete in both the individual dressage and the team event alongside Carl Hester and world champion Lottie Fry at the Paris Games.

She is expected to be replaced in the team by Becky Moody.

Dujardin won individual and team golds at London 2012 while riding Valegro, with the pair retaining the individual title and winning silver in the team event at Rio 2016.

Olympic and equestrian authorities have taken an increasingly strict line against alleged improprieties relating to the treatment of animals in recent years.

During the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021, at which Dujardin won two bronze medals on Geo, a German modern pentathlon coach was thrown out for striking a horse.

The incident initiated a major overhaul of the historic sport, resulting in the equestrian element being removed completely, and replaced by an obstacle course for the first time in Paris.

The dressage competition at Paris 2024 begins on July 30 at the Chateau de Versailles.

— with AFP