The campaign is aimed at eliminating doping in equestrian sport at all levels.
With the London Olympics on the horizon, OCI officials were also briefed on Horse Sport Ireland’s ‘Holmes Report’ and their new rules that spell out the measures now in place to ensure that prohibited substances and practices are eradicated from equestrian sport in Ireland.
Olympic Council president Pat Hickey led the OCI group and heard updates provided by Horse Sport Ireland’s chairman Joe Walsh.
The delegation was joined by a conference call from the Equestrian International Federation (FEI) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland from its secretary general Alex Mclin, who was unable to travel to Dublin because of the volcanic ash problem.
Pat Hickey commented: “It was a very positive meeting and we very much welcome the great strides made by the FEI and Horse Sport Ireland in improving doping controls. We believe that we can now look forward to the London Olympic Games with greater confidence than in the past.”
“Doping and the inappropriate use of medications are a serious threat to the integrity and reputation of equestrian sport. It’s the responsibility of the entire equestrian community to help make this superb sport as clean as possible”
He concluded, “We will continue to work in close partnership with Horse Sport Ireland to ensure that we maximise the potential for strong Irish performances in London, free from any doping controversy. We wish Irish riders every success at the first qualification event for the London Olympic Games, which are the World Equestrian Games being held in Kentucky in September next.”
Horse Sport Ireland’s chairman Joe Walsh said “We had a very constructive meeting with the Olympic Council of Ireland. We were pleased that the FEI secretary general took the time to outline the measures they have taken at international level. We are committed to working in partnership with the OCI to put every possible measure in place to ensure that we have no repeat of what happened at the last two Olympic Games. The reputation of our country and our sector is at stake and it will continue to be our top priority.”
