Olympic doping - Fallout could be devastating

THE shockwaves hitting Ireland’s Olympic gold medallist Cian O’Connor reach far beyond the allegation that his horse, Waterford Crystal, was given a banned substance.

For the rider himself, and for the sport generally, the repercussions could be devastating, something the president of the Irish Equestrian Federation, MEP Avril Doyle, openly admits.

Making an already bad situation even worse, the controversy has been exacerbated by the revelation that another of his horses, ABC Landliebe, failed tests in Rome for the same unauthorised drug, a substance yet to be identified.

At the pinnacle of his career, the situation for Mr O’Connor is potentially catastrophic. Having scaled the Olympian heights, his future is at stake as he faces possible disaster. Nationally, the controversy has jeopardised hopes of getting more funding for a sport in which Irish riders regularly compete at the highest level.

Internationally, Ireland’s reputation has been damaged. For Waterford Glass, sponsors of the gold medal winner, this sorry affair is turning into a PR debacle.

Strongly protesting his innocence, Mr O’Connor denies any wrongdoing, emphasises that he has nothing to hide and says he wants the truth to come out.

In fairness, he deserves the benefit of the doubt, especially as due process is still in train. If, however, the outcome of the B tests on Waterford Crystal prove positive, the outlook for him could hardly be bleaker.

In no sense can the use of performance-enhancing drugs in sport be condoned. That stark message will not be lost on aspiring riders. Sadly, having assumed fantastic importance in the eyes of Irish people everywhere, the Olympic gold medal now looks badly tainted.