Australia may have lost its chance to show jump at the Tokyo Olympics, after team member Jamie Kermond was kicked out of the Games after testing positive for a metabolite of cocaine.
Equestrian Australia announced in a statement that it has provisionally suspended Jamie Kermond under the Australian national anti-doping policy. Jamie had been due to make his Olympic debut with Oaks Constellation, alongside Katie Laurie on Casebrook Lomond, and Edwina Tops-Alexander on Identity Vitseroel.
But as it stands Australia is without a team, and it’s unclear if Katie and Edwina can ride as individuals.
The named reserve rider, Rowan Willis, withdrew from his position on July 9, stating that he did not consider it to be in the best interest of his horse, Blue Movie, to travel to Tokyo when Equestrian Australia “had made it clear there was no tactical plan” for the pair to start.
Jamie Kermond’s selection ahead of Rowan was controversial to begin with. Rowan was 12th at the 2018 World Games with Blue Movie, and is ranked 63rd in the world with many recent top-10 placings in the US. Kermond, by contrast, was selected for the starting team despite having only half a dozen international starts since WEG 2018 and being world ranked 1013.
The newspaper The Australian has reported that on allegations that one of the two selectors has commercial links to Kermond, even though he recused himself from considering him.
Meanwhile, Katie and Edwina are left in limbo, waiting in quarantine in Europe with their horses. On her Facebook page, Katie says: “I really appreciate the huge amount of support and kind messages, really hoping [Edwina] and I can go girls-on-tour to jump individually, we should find out in the next 24 hours. Sparky had a jump this morning and felt great, full of himself and happy! This has been one unforgettable ride, but the support and love from people near and far has been amazing. We will keep you posted.”
In a statement, Edwina said it was a “sad day for all of us”.
“I never imagined our team (or what’s left of it) would ever be in this situation. At the moment I’m not sure what the overall outcome is but it’s definitely a rollercoaster I won’t forget.
“We stay strong, we keep going and listen to ourselves. People in life need to be responsible for their own actions and they know what they are. Hopefully, I’ll be able to go to Tokyo next week as an individual.”
Although under the World Anti-Doping Agency policy, Jamie Kermond has the opportunity to have his B-sample analysed, he released his own statement accepting responsibility.
He said “it is likely” the positive result was from a “single recreational use” of the drug during a social event, and had no connections with the sport.
“I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened and I accept full responsibility,” his statement says. “I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and team-mates.
“Hopefully one day I can be forgiven for my mistake and make amends through better actions and continued contribution to the sport I know and love.”
The spokesman for Equestrian Australia said the organisation has spoken to Jamie and “support services will be offered to him”.
