Following the release of a controversial video, Olympic medalist Charlotte Dujardin has been banned from the 2024 Paris Olympics. This decision has raised questions and concerns among the public about the reasons for her ban and the content of the video. Here are all the details.
Why did Charlotte Dujardin get banned from the Paris Olympics?
Charlotte Dujardin has been barred from competing in the Paris Olympics following serious allegations of mistreatment of a horse. She faces suspension after a video surfaced showing her striking a horse numerous times during a private coaching session several years ago.
Dujardin’s decision to withdraw from the Games on Tuesday comes just before the FEI announced her provisional suspension for six months, as per The Guardian. The FEI confirmed that Dujardin is now barred from competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics or any other FEI-regulated events.
The footage, which depicts Dujardin hitting the horse repeatedly, led to her immediate suspension and exclusion from the upcoming Olympics. Although Dujardin did not specifically address the video in question, she expressed deep regret for her lapse in judgment.
The FEI noted that Dujardin had admitted her involvement in the video and had issued an apology for her behavior. FEI President Ingmar De Vos commented that the seriousness of the allegations left the governing body with no choice but to enforce the suspension.
What did the Good Morning Britain Charlotte Dujardin video show her doing?
The footage shows Dujardin using a whip excessively during a coaching session with a young rider and has sparked widespread backlash.
In the video, Dujardin is seen instructing the rider to make the horse lift its legs more during a canter. She used the whip more than 24 times in a manner described as harsh and excessive. The FEI immediately took action and suspended Dujardin.
Dutch lawyer Stephan Wensing, representing the young rider who filed the complaint, described the incident as being like the harsh treatment seen in “an elephant in a circus.” He says it happened in 2022, but Dujardin insists it was an error from four years ago. He also claims that his client has witnessed similar incidents multiple times and praised the FEI’s response.
Meanwhile, British Equestrian’s chief executive, Jim Eyre, acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations. However, the organization declined to comment further on the matter.
