Australian Athlete Tests Positive for Using Cocaine; Equestrian Rider Banned From Olympics for Drugs

After a drug test conducted by the SPI or the Sport Integrity Australia, an Australian equestrian rider was suspended from Tokyo Olympics for testing positive for cocaine.

Olympic Banned

According to ESPN, SPI, an executive agency of the Australian government, said that equestrian rider Jamie Kermond failed to represent his country after his sample tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine is prohibited under the laws of Australia and the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Moreover, Equestrian Australia (EA), the national governing body for equestrian sports, stated that the showjumper's test result came out on June 26. On Wednesday, EA released a statement prohibiting Kermond from participating in any WADA-compliant event. Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games was among the events that need compliance from WADA. Kermond would be banned from joining the Olympics and other events while the provisional suspension is in place.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday afternoon, the showjumper, Kermond, acknowledged the positive test and mentioned in his statement that he attributed the result to a recent social event. Kermond added that SPI informed him about his positive result of cocaine after he was tested last month.

Also, the equestrian rider clarified that it was likely that the positive result was from a single recreational use of the drug during a social event that he attended and that it did not have any connection with his sport. Kermond also shared the consequence of the positive result, which he has been provisionally suspended from his sport by Equestrian Australia.

In addition, Kermond said that he would fully comply with the SPI investigation and would look to make amends for his actions in the future. The showjumper said that he was extremely upset and remorseful as to what had happened, but he accepted full responsibility for his actions. Kermond also apologized to his family, friends and teammates for letting them down.

The 36-year-old from Victoria, who was supposed to be making his Olympic debut in Tokyo, stated that he was hoping that one day he can be forgiven for his mistake and make amends through better actions and continued contribution to the sport that he knew and loved.

Jamie Kermond was selected as one of three showjumpers on a nine-strong Australian equestrian team, NBC Olympics reported.

On the other hand, Equestrian Australia has spoken with Kermond, and they offered support services to him. EA said that the suspension of Kermond was a blow to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) as it came out just two days from the opening ceremony.

The SPI informed the AOC about the suspension. In a statement Wednesday, the committee said that they would consider the matter after assessing it.

Kermond is a triple Australian showjumping champion, but his initial selection for the Olympics attracted controversy. Kermond ranked 1013th on world standings but has links to one of two national selectors, Stephen Lamb. Critics stated that selectors overlooked Rowan Willis, Australia's top-ranked rider at 59 in the world. However, Lamb has said he stepped aside when Kermond's selection was discussed.

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Written by Jess Smith

WATCH: Australian show jumper provisionally suspended from Olympics - Sky News Australia