Tokyo Olympics 2020: Katie Laurie and Edwina Tops-Alexander free to compete after teammate’s cocaine ban
Equestrian bosses have made a final call on whether two Australian showjumpers can compete in Tokyo after their teammate was banned for cocaine use.
Two showjumpers whose Olympic hopes were plunged into disarray after a teammate tested positive for cocaine will be allowed to compete at the Tokyo games after intense deliberation between the international equestrian body and Olympic organisers.
The disqualification of showjumper Jamie Kermond over a failed drug test and the absence of a reserve rider scuppered Australia’s ability to enter a team and cast uncertainty over whether Katie Laurie and Edwina Tops-Alexander would still be able to compete as individuals.
However, News Corp understands both athletes have now been cleared to compete in individual events with the Australian Olympic Committee to make an announcement later on Friday morning.
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Tops-Alexander on Thursday hit out at her disgraced teammate, Kermond, saying it was a “sad day” for her team.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to go to Tokyo next week as an individual,” she wrote.
Laurie said it had been an “unforgettable ride” and she hoped to find out on Friday if the pair could compete as individuals at the games.
“Really appreciate the huge amount of support and kind messages, really hoping we can go girls on tour to jump individually, we should find out within the next 24 hours,” she said.
The Australian showjumping team’s disqualification is a blow for the AOC after riders received their best result to date - sixth - at the 2019 World Equestrian Games.
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The showjumpers’ clearance to compete comes after a turbulent week for the sport. Kermond was suspended from the Games just hours before he was due to fly to Tokyo, after he and Equestrian Australia were made aware of the positive drug test.
The 36-year-old on Wednesday said he believed the positive result was likely due to a “single recreational use of the drug” at a social event that had no connection with his sport.
On Monday, The Australian revealed the nation’s top-ranked show jumper Rowan Willis was controversially overlooked in favour of Kermond, who had sponsorship links to Stephen Lamb, one of two national selectors.
Mr Lamb disclosed the perceived conflict of interest and stood aside for Kermond’s selection. However, Willis, who was originally listed as the reserve athlete, withdrew from the competition, leaving no travelling reserve to take Kermond’s place in Tokyo. He did not lodge a formal appeal.
Kermond, who faces a four-year ban over the positive result, said he hoped that one day he would be forgiven for his mistake and make amends for his actions.
“I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened, and I accept full responsibility. I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and teammates,” he said.
The drug test, taken on June 26, was confirmed nearly a month later on Wednesday by Equestrian Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee.
STAR SLAMS TEAMMATE
A teammate of disgraced equestrian show jumper Jamie Kermond has taken to social media to share her disgust and disappointment after he tested positive to cocaine.
The Olympic dreams of Katie Laurie and Edwina Tops-Alexander have been thrown into disarray after a shock drug test eliminated Kermond from competing at the games.
The trio were entered in a team event, meaning they may not be able to compete next week.
It is understood a frantic scramble is taking place to find a replacement, with tight border restrictions adding a world of pain for Australian Olympic authorities.
Tops-Alexander hit out at Kermond, saying it was a “sad day” for her team.
“People in life need to be responsible for there (sic) own actions and they know what they are,” she said.
“I never imagined our team would ever be in this situation. It is definitely a rollercoaster I won’t forget.
“Hopefully I’ll be able to go to Tokyo next week as an individual.”
Laurie said it had been an “unforgettable ride” and she hoped to find out on Friday if the pair could compete as individuals at the games.
“Really appreciate the huge amount of support and kind messages, really hoping we can go girls on tour to jump individually, we should find out within the next 24 hours,” she said.
Equestrian Australia were contacted for comment.
NO REPLACEMENT COMING FOR KERMOND
Australian Olympic officials say they will leave “no stone unturned” in keeping the Olympic dream alive for two showjumpers after their teammate Jamie Kermond tested positive to cocaine.
The Olympic hopes of Katie Laurie and Edwina Tops-Alexander have been thrown into disarray after the shock drug test eliminated Kermond from competing at the games.
Chef de mission Ian Chesterman said the Australian Olympic Committee were desperately working through options to replace Kermond in the team event.
“We are unable to replace Jamie Kermond with the late athlete replacement program so that is unfortunate,” Mr Chesterman said on Wednesday.
He said the Australian team had “no option” but to terminate his position in the Australian team after he failed a drugs test.
“We’re still working through the impact of Jamie being removed from the team,” Mr Chesterman said.
“We will leave no stone unturned in keeping the Olympic dream alive for them.”
He said the Australian Olympic Committee were working with local authorities on potential solutions for the team event.
The team did not have a reserve in Japan after Rowan Wills chose not to travel to Tokyo.
Kermond was suspended from the Games just hours before he was due to fly to Tokyo, after he and Equestrian Australia were made aware of the positive drug test.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
An Australian Olympic showjumper who was suspended from competing at the Tokyo Games after testing positive to cocaine has said he is “extremely upset and remorseful” about his actions.
Jamie Kermond, 36, on Wednesday said he believed the positive result was likely from a “single recreational use of the drug” during a social event that had no connection with his sport.
“The consequence of this positive result is that I have been provisionally suspended from my sport by Equestrian Australian (sic),” he said.
“I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened, and I accept full responsibility. I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and teammates.”
Kermond said he hoped that one day he would be forgiven for his mistake and make amends for his actions.
The Australian Olympic Committee released a statement on Wednesday night terminating Kermond’s membership of the team.
The statement said:
* Jamie Kermond’s conduct is a breach of clause 4.1(3) of his Team Membership agreement as he has not taken all possible measures to obtain and maintain exceptional mental and physical health and encourage and support measures relating to the medical care, health and wellbeing of all Tokyo 2020 Australian Olympic Team members.
* As he is currently, provisionally suspended he is also unable to perform at the highest possible standard at the Games and carry out his duties in this regard to the Team to the best of his ability.
* Jamie Kermond’s conduct is a breach of clause 4.1(4) of his Team Membership agreement as it is conduct which would have the tendency to bring him and his sport into disrepute and is not in the best interests of the Australian Olympic Team; and
* Jamie Kermond’s conduct is a breach of clause 4.1(21) of his Team Membership agreement, being a breach of the AOC’s Anti-doping By-Law.
The AOC is continuing to explore opportunities for the athletes affected as a result of Jamie Kermond being unable to compete.
Equestrian Australia had earlier released a statement on the suspension.
“Equestrian Australia has provisionally suspended Jumping athlete Jamie Kermond under the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021,” the body said in a statement.
“The mandatory Provisional Suspension Notice asserts Mr Kermond returned a positive A-sample for a metabolite of cocaine following a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia on 26 June 2021.”
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“Cocaine is prohibited In-Competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021. Mr Kermond is prohibited from participating in any WADA compliant event, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while the provisional suspension is in place.”
A statement from the AOC said: “The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) has been made aware of the provisional suspension of equestrian athlete Jamie Kermond after being informed by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) as an interested party.
“The Australian Olympic Team Selection Committee will consider the matter later today.”
On Monday, The Australian revealed the nation’s top-ranked show jumper Rowan Willis was overlooked in favour of Kermond, who had sponsorship links to Stephen Lamb, one of two national selectors.
Willis was listed behind Edwina Tops-Alexander, ranked 311th, Katie Laurie, ranked 469th, and Jamie Kermond, currently 1013th in the Federation Equestre Internationale rankings, in a decision described as the equivalent of leaving Ash Barty out of the national tennis squad.
While Mr Lamb disclosed the perceived conflict of interest and stood aside for the selection of Kermond, a new letter shows Equestrian Australia asked for reassurance that the AIS was demonstrating good governance in its running of the program.
HOW WAS HE SELECTED IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Australia’s peak equestrian body had limited oversight in picking the Tokyo Olympics team and specifically warned that conflicts of interests may arise in the selection process, insiders say.
In a letter sent on May 21, seen by News Corp, Equestrian Australia asked the Australian Institute of Sport to provide confirmation that proper governance practices were being adhered to in the lead-up to selecting the equestrian team for the Tokyo Games.
On Monday, News Corp revealed the nation’s top-ranked show jumper Rowan Willis was overlooked in favour of a rider with sponsorship links to Stephen Lamb, one of two national selectors.
Willis was listed behind Edwina Tops-Alexander, ranked 311th, Katie Laurie, ranked 469th, and Jamie Kermond, currently 1013th in the Federation Equestre Internationale rankings, in a decision described as the equivalent of leaving Ash Barty out of the national tennis squad.
While Mr Lamb disclosed the perceived conflict of interest and stood aside for the selection of Kermond, a new letter shows Equestrian Australia asked for reassurance that the AIS was demonstrating good governance in its running of the program.
“Whilst the AIS is managing the high-performance program, it is imperative the EA board are in a position to have sufficient oversight from a governance perspective of the decisions taken by the high-performance panel and the resultant activities by the high-performance panel management team,” the body’s chair, Mark Bradley, wrote in May.
“The EA board requests the AIS provide comfort confirming all duties are being discharged and all the legal, regulatory and good governance practices of EA have been adhered to.”
Sources said the revelation that just two selectors ended up being responsible for choosing the final showjumping team “was less than ideal”, especially after Mr Lamb abstained from Kermond’s selection. The Australian is not suggesting any wrongdoing, only that there is a clear perception of conflict of interest in the selection process.
Control over the sport’s elite athletes was transferred to the AIS in June last year after EA entered voluntary administration just six weeks out from when the Tokyo Games were supposed to have started. It is the only sport in Australia whose high-performance program is being administered by the AIS. The body, now under new governance, is not expected to regain oversight of the program until after the Paris Olympics in 2024. However, sources say efforts are under way to have the high-performance program returned as soon as possible.
Equestrian Australia’s letter specifically asked that any issues that may arise be “managed in accordance with the EA’s conflict of interest policies”. The AIS has yet to respond to the request. An AIS spokeswoman said it had received a letter from the peak body but said Olympic nominations were a “matter for Equestrian Australia”.
“The High Performance Panel, alongside the AIS, do and will continue to ensure that the EA HP Program is run with good governance, with the EA CEO and Performance Director ensuring adherence to EA Policies,” she said.
Mr Bradley used the May letter to reiterate the board’s “enduring commitment to good governance (and) financial stability”.
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