The FEI does not report the existence of a positive case until the earlier of the following: the results of an initial (“A”) test are accepted by the person responsible, or the results of a confirmatory (“B”) test also return a positive result. This policy is grounded in the principle that athletes’ rights must be respected in the fight against doping.

“It is understandable that an athlete or an athlete’s attorney may try to influence public opinion prior to receipt of final results in an attempt to discredit the process,” said Alexander McLin, the FEI’s Deputy Secretary General and General Counsel. “However, such statements are often made prematurely or subjectively and do not ultimately influence the decisions of relevant hearing bodies who rightly assess evidentiary questions in their entirety.”

Applicable rules and processes are aimed at safeguarding fair competition and the health and welfare of competition horses, but also at respecting athletes’ rights, including: “the right of the Person Responsible and/or the Person Responsible’s representative to be present at the identification and opening of the B Sample if an analysis of the B Sample is requested” [article 7.1.3 (d), Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules].

The Equine Anti-Doping and Medication Control Rules (EADMC) came into effect on June 1, 2006, and can be found on the FEI website at www.horsesport.org/mcp/horses/horses.htm?sub=mcp&active=mcp2.

The FEI is committed to the fight against doping. The policies and minimum standards set forth in the EADMC rules represent the consensus of a broad spectrum of stakeholders with an interest in fair sport and horse welfare.

For any further information regarding standard procedures applied when sampling, testing, results management and sanctions, please visit the FEI website at www.horsesport.org and click on Medication Control and Anti-Doping.