Aussie equestrian star banned from Olympics in drug scandal
Olympic debutant Jamie Kermond has been suspended from the Tokyo Games after a drug test found an illicit substance in his system.
The 36-year-old represented Australia in the World Equestrian Games in Germany, but has never made the Aussie Olympic squad.
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But only days out from fulfilling a dream, the showjumper allegedly tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine in a test on June 26, Equestrian Australia says.
#BREAKING: Doping case in the Australian Olympic camp - equestrian debutant Jamie Kermond has been provisionally suspended by Equestrian Australia after returning a positive A-sample for a metabolite of cocaine. More to come @SBSNews #Olympics2021
— Naveen Razik (@naveenjrazik) July 21, 2021
The @AUSOlympicTeam equestrian crew rocked by a suspension. Jamie Kermond testing positive for cocaine. pic.twitter.com/YX8L5WCzD5
— Blake Johnson (@BlakeJohnson) July 21, 2021
The 36-year-old from Victoria has been provisionally banned from the Tokyo Olympics, the organisation said in a statement on Wednesday.
Aussie Olympic athlete provisionally suspended
Kermond was expected to make his Olympic debut with the horse Yandoo Oaks Constellation in Equestrian.
Under the World Anti-Doping Policy he is unable to compete in any complaint event, which includes the Olympics, according to a statement from Equestrian Australia.
“Equestrian Australia has provisionally suspended Jumping athlete Jamie Kermond under the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021,” the governing 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."
Kermond now has the opportunity to have his B-sample analysed.
with AAP
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