‘I am not a cheat’
Vowing to clear his name and hold on to his Olympic gold, the showjumping champion, Ireland’s sole medal winner in Athens, said he won his event “fair and square” and his horse, Waterford Crystal, was not given any substances to improve his performance.
The 24-year-old Kildare man has cancelled his Olympic engagements while he remains under suspicion and will not accept the overall award due to be presented to him at the ESB/Rebab 2004 People of the Year Awards ceremony tonight.
He now faces a wait of up to 10 weeks while a ‘B’ sample from Waterford Crystal is tested by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to see if it confirms the positive result from the ‘A’ sample tested following the pair’s victory in the individual event at Athens in August.
A second positive test would almost certainly mean Mr O’Connor would be stripped of his gold medal, although he would have the option of appealing to the international Court of Arbitration for Sports.
Following an emergency meeting yesterday afternoon, the Equestrian Federation of Ireland stressed it did not condone the use of prohibited substances under any circumstances but said it stood behind the rider in his efforts to “clarify the situation” and urged respect for his right to due process.
Sports Minister John O’Donoghue, however, said the positive ‘A’ test was “no great indicator for the future” and the public would be “greatly disheartened and extremely disappointed” if the ‘B’ test confirmed the horse was doped.
“Cian O’Connor has exercised his right of due process in accordance with FEI regulations. It is in the interests of all parties that this matter be processed as quickly as possible so that finality is brought to the situation,” he said.
The Irish Sports Council, which has prioritised equestrian sports for special funding, said it was shocked and disappointed at the positive test which it described as a “major setback for equestrian sport and sport in general in Ireland”.
The shock result was confirmed by the Irish Equestrian Federation yesterday after the FEI announced four unnamed horses had tested positive for banned substances from samples taken following the Athens Games.
The substance found is believed to be a sedative which vet James Sheeran said he gave Waterford Crystal while treating him for a fetlock injury over a month before the Games. He said he could not understand how the drug could still be in the horse’s system a month later and insisted any remaining traces would have no effect on the animal’s performance.
The victorious pairing of Cian O’Connor and Waterford Crystal salvaged what was widely regarded as a disappointing outing by Irish athletes in Athens and the rider returned home to civic receptions and an audience with the President.
Mr O’Connor issued a statement yesterday saying he was “utterly devastated” by the FEI’s findings and insisted: “I am not a cheat.
“I wish to assure everyone that I have competed honestly and honourably both for myself and my country.”
