FEI Bureau Meeting (Part 1)

OLYMPIC POSITIVE MEDICATION CASES

The FEI held its Bureau Meeting on 15 and 16 November in Buenos Aires (ARG). A major item of consideration was medication control, including the positive test results of the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

The FEI President and Bureau have expressed their concern at the current high profile positive medication cases for horses  including those of the 2004 Olympic medal winners. The FEI is deeply concerned about the welfare of the competition horses and the need to maintain fair play in sport. The President HRH the Infanta Doña Pilar de Borbón said "The FEI is particularly disturbed about the current situation, as it reflects so badly on equestrian sport. The FEI has continually endeavoured to maintain a clean equestrian sport."

The FEI President and Bureau are distressed that, under present FEI rules, immediate and strict action cannot be taken against alleged misuse of medication in horses before the completion of testing and legal procedures.

Consequently, the FEI Bureau has taken the initiative to establish a task force which will review the policies necessary for the elimination of abusive and illegal performance enhancing drugs and to review the general medication control of horses.

The task force will be composed of representatives of the National Federations, as sports policy is the main component of the issue, and specialists in the area of veterinary, legal affairs and communications will serve as advisors to the task force. Geographical spread will be taken into account.

Recommendations regarding the FEI medication control and anti-doping policy will be put forward to the 2005 General Assembly.

In connection with the four positive medication cases of Athens 2004, the Medication Sub-Committee of the FEI has now provided its reports advising that the B-sample taken from these horses have confirmed the presence of the prohibited substances.

Once all evidence is submitted by the parties, the positive medication files will be submitted to the FEI Judicial Committee for a decision on the matter. An oral hearing before the FEI Judicial Committee may be held, if requested by either party or required by the Judicial Committee.

The FEI President and the Bureau would like to see a quick resolution within the rules of all pending medication cases.


The FEI President acknowledged the problems in communication on the progress of the Irish case but emphasised its complexity and the additional complication provoked by "criminal activities". The aspect of communication will be looked at by a new Task Force established by the Bureau at its meeting in Buenos Aires.