Showjumper Jamie Kermond tests positive to cocaine, expresses remorse

An Australian suspended from the Tokyo Games after testing positive to cocaine says he is ‘extremely upset’ about his actions.

Australian showjumper Jamie Kermond has tested positive to cocaine

An Australian Olympic showjumper suspended from competing at the Tokyo Olympic Games after testing positive to cocaine says he is “extremely upset and remorseful” about his actions.

Jamie Kermond and Equestrian Australia was made aware of the positive drug result just hours before he was due to leave the country for the Tokyo Games on Tuesday night. Kermond’s horse, Napa, is already in Japan.

“Equestrian Australia has provisionally suspended Jumping athlete Jamie Kermond under the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021,” the body said in a statement.

The 36-year-old was at the centre of an Olympic selection scandal over his qualification for the Australian team.

Jamie Kermond.

Kermond 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 Australia,” 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.

Positive test bombshell

Equestrian Australia’s statement outlined the circumstances of the positive test.

“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.

“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.”

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.

The Australian is not suggesting there has been any wrongdoing, only that there is a clear perception of a conflict of interest in the selection process.

Kermond’s suspension is a blow to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) just two days out from the opening ceremony.

The AOC’s selection committee will consider the matter later today. Willis, who was originally listed as the reserve athlete, pulled out of the competition over concerns for his horse.

“I have weighed up the options very carefully and consider it in the best interest of my horse ‘Carrots’ not to undertake such a demanding global travel schedule when the EA have made it clear there is no tactical plan to start,” he wrote on his Facebook page on July 9.