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Aussie Equestrian Star Jamie Kermond Banned From Tokyo Olympics After Positive Cocaine Test

Aussie Equestrian Star Jamie Kermond Banned From Tokyo Olympics After Positive Cocaine Test

He has been booted from the team after the illicit substance was detected.

Max Sherry

Max Sherry

Jamie Kermond has been banned from competing in the Tokyo Olympics after a positive drug test.

The Australian equestrian star tested positive for cocaine and he's been provisionally booted from the team.

This would have been Kermond's first ever Olympic Games; having represented Australia in the World Equestrian Games in the past.

Equestrian Australia, the sport's governing body Down Under, has released a statement confirming the shocking news on the eve of the Games beginning this weekend.

"Equestrian Australia has provisionally suspended Jumping athlete Jamie Kermond under the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021," the statement read.

"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.

Equestrian Australia/YouTube

"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."

Officials have confirmed that support services have been offered to Kermond, who will undoubtedly be absolutely distraught.

His horse, named 'Napa', has already touched down in Tokyo and will reportedly be flown back to Australia immediately.

The show jumper is yet to comment himself.

Kermond is free to challenge the veracity of the test result or show he didn't intentionally take it. If he fails to do this, he faces a four-year ban from the sport.

The Australian Olympic Committee is in an emergency meeting to see if another rider can take Jamie's place in the team.

But their time is running out as the Tokyo equestrian program begins on July 23, the same day as the Opening Ceremony.

A spokesperson for the AOC said: "The Australian Olympic Committee has been made aware of the provisional suspension of equestrian athlete Jamie Kermond after being informed by Sport Integrity Australia as an interested party."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Australia