O’Connor stripped of Olympic medal

SHOWJUMPER Cian O’Connor was yesterday officially stripped of his Olympic gold medal because his horse failed a drugs test.

Waterford Crystal failed the test at last year’s Athens Games and then a B urine sample was stolen from a laboratory in Newmarket in October. A blood sample later confirmed that sedatives were found.

The International Olympic Committee’s executive board, meeting in Singapore, yesterday ratified a decision by International Equestrian Federation’s to disqualify the horse and the Co Meath-based rider.

Brazil’s Rodrigo Pessoa who rode Baloubet Du Roet is now the Olympic champion. He is set to receive his medal in August.

O’Connor has already returned his gold medal and plans are now underway for IOC President Jacques Rogges to either award the medal in person or pass it on to Brazilian Olympic officials.

IOC communications director Giselle Davies said: “Mr O’Connor has chosen not to appeal and the executive board made a decision that he be disqualified and the gold medal and other medals will now be redistributed.”