The FEI announced Saturday afternoon that all human and equine samples taken for drug testing during the Olympics came back negative for each of the disciplines of eventing, show jumping and dressage. Sixty equine samples (approximately 30% of the competing horses) were taken during the games and sent to the FEI Central Laboratory in Great Britain, and all samples tested completely clean.
Human samples are also taken, which are controlled and tested by the International Olympic Committee during the games, and they also came back 100% negative.
“Keeping our sport clean is a central part of our daily work at the FEI, but to have back-to-back clean Games in London and Rio is something for any sport to be proud of, especially as we were testing for more substances than ever before,” FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “And that’s on top of absolutely brilliant equestrian sport in Rio, so we really have something to celebrate!”
In addition to random sampling, all individual first through fourth-placed horses are tested, and one horse from each of the first through fourth placed-teams are also tested. All human medalists and fourth-place finishers in the individual and team events are tested, as well.
“We owe a huge debt of thanks to the Rio 2016 organizing committee,” President De Vos added. “They were working in very challenging circumstances, but they produced a fabulous venue that provided the perfect stage for our equestrian events, and which will be ideal for the Paralympics as well.”
“We couldn’t have asked for more exciting sport and now to have confirmation that clean sport and fair play have also come out as winners is the icing on the cake! I couldn’t be happier.”
Go eventing.
[FEI President Celebrates Top Equestrian Sport and Clean Games at Rio 2016]