2006 FEI General Assembly - special update, day 4

The FEI General Assembly continued today with the meetings of the Geographical Groups with the FEI Bureau. One of the important issues identified yesterday in the individual Group meetings concerned the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules that had been approved by the FEI Bureau at their meeting in Bahrain in November 2005. These rules were elaborated over the course of last year by the FEI Legal Department in conjunction with the revision of the FEI Veterinary Regulations and evaluated by the Task Force on Doping and Medication Policy, Judicial Committee and National Federations.

This new, comprehensive set of rules includes, among other aspects, clear distinctions as to what constitutes doping and what constitutes medication, with reference to specific substances (an Equine Prohibited List) and the relevant legal standards that apply in each case. An FEI Standard for Laboratories was developed in parallel to ensure the evidentiary integrity of laboratory test results in the context of cases following positive test results.

Provided they are ratified by the General Assembly, the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Medication control rules will become effective as of 1 June 2006.

The spirit of the FEI Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules is to preserve the “spirit of sport”, which is characterised by the following values: ethics, fair play and honesty; health; excellence in performance; character and education; fun and joy; teamwork; dedication and commitment; respect for rules and laws; respect for self and other participants; courage; community and solidarity.

All of the provisions concerning doping and medication issues for horses now appear in one body of rules, which should lead to greater clarity for competitors. Those familiar with the format and approach of WADA’s anti-doping rules for athletes will recognise the format, though these rules were specifically designed to take into account the unique needs of equestrian sport.


Tomorrow, 1 May, is this year’s convention D-day. The three candidates for the FEI Presidency will make a presentation to the delegates at a Forum beginning at 10h15. The order of these presentations, decided by a draw, will be as follows: 1) Freddy Serpieri; 2) HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein; 3) HRH Princess Benedikte of Denmark. They will be followed by a joint question-and-answer session. The FEI General Assembly will open at 14h and the election for President will take place at 17h00.


To the attention of the media
A press conference with the newly elected FEI President will be organised at the Sunway Lagoon Hotel immediately after the result is announced (ca. 17h45). Media wishing to asssit MUST be accredited. To receive your accreditation, please contact Malina Gueorguiev from the FEI Communications Department, email: m.gueorguiev@horsesport.org, mobile:             +(6) 01 7317 8173      , office:             + (6) 03 7495 1442      ).