英国の馬術金メダリストに資格停止１年 馬への不適切行為で

【ロンドンＡＦＰ＝時事】五輪の馬術競技で３度の金メダルに輝く英国のスター選手シャーロット・デュジャルダン（３９）が５日、馬を不適切に鞭でたたいた行為により、１年間の資格停止処分と罰金１万スイスフラン（約１７０万円）を科された。同選手はこの問題で物議を醸し、パリ五輪の出場辞退を余儀なくされていた。（写真は、リオデジャネイロ五輪の馬場馬術個人で、金メダルを獲得した英国のシャーロット・デュジャルダン）
　デュジャルダンはパリ五輪が開幕する数日前、馬の脚を繰り返したたいている動画が国際馬術連盟（ＦＥＩ）に提出されたことを受け、暫定的に資格停止処分を科された。数年前に厩舎（きゅうしゃ）でのトレーニングで撮影されたこの動画が広範囲で非難を引き起こしたことを受け、デュジャルダンは「判断ミス」を認めて深い後悔の意を表明し、パリ五輪を辞退した。
　そしてこの日、デュジャルダンは「ＦＥＩの裁定を全面的に尊重する」とし、今年７月にさかのぼって２０２５年７月まで全ての競技から除外されることが確定。英ＰＡ通信社への声明では、ＦＥＩの処分を受け入れたことに加え、事件が明るみに出た当時は妊娠していたと明かした。
　デュジャルダンは２０１２年のロンドン五輪で個人と団体の金メダルに輝いたほか、４年後のリオ五輪でも個人連覇を果たすなどし、計６個の五輪メダルを手にした。パリ五輪に出場していれば、英女子選手では同数で並んでいた自転車のローラ・ケニーを上回り、通算最多の五輪メダル獲得を果たす可能性があった。【翻訳編集ＡＦＰＢＢＮｅｗｓ】
〔ＡＦＰ＝時事〕（2024/12/06-18:53）

Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was Thursday banned for a year following a horse-whipping controversy that led to her withdrawal from the Paris Games.
The British rider was provisionally suspended by governing body the International Federation for Equestrian Sports just days before the start of the 2024 Olympics after the FEI received a video showing her repeatedly striking a horse on its legs.
The footage, dating back several years, related to a training session at a stable. Dujardin's behaviour sparked widespread condemnation.
The 39-year-old, who has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs, withdrew from the Games saying she had made an error of judgement and expressed deep remorse.
Dujardin, who said she fully respects the verdict issued by the FEI on Thursday, is now sidelined from all competition until July next year, with the suspension backdated to July 2024.
The FEI has suspended British dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000 ($11,300), effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her, the governing body said in a statement.
Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since 23 July, 2024 for engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. The time served during her provisional suspension will be credited towards the one-year suspension.
During her suspension, Dujardin is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a national federation.
British Equestrian and British Dressage have reciprocated the suspension, resulting in Dujardin's ineligibility to compete in any national competition or training events during this period.
British Equestrian chief executive Jim Eyre said the welfare and ethical treatment of horses has always been a priority.
British Dressage chief executive Jason Brautigam said the organisation took a zero-tolerance approach towards breaches of equine welfare policies.
- 'Darkest' period -
Dujardin, in a statement to Britain's PA news agency, said she accepted the FEI's sanction, also revealing she was pregnant at the time the incident came to light.
As the federation has recognised, my actions in the video do not reflect who I am and I can only apologise again, she said. I understand the responsibility that comes with my position in the sport, and I will forever aim to do better.
This has undoubtedly been one of the darkest and most difficult periods of my life, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has supported me.
Dujardin has won six Olympic medals including individual and team gold at London 2012, retaining her individual dressage title at the Rio Games four years later.
She could have become Britain's most decorated woman Olympian in Paris. A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of cyclist Laura Kenny, with whom she is tied on six medals.
Dujardin was eliminated from the European Championships in 2019 after blood was found on her horse, Mount St John Freestyle, in a post-competition check.
The FEI said the action taken then did not imply there was any intent to injure the horse.