IOC says Beijing Olympics medals not at risk in doping probe of German equestrian team

Beijing medals not at risk in Germany doping probe

LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The IOC says equestrian medals from the Beijing Olympics will not be affected by an investigation into alleged doping violations by Germany’s team.

The International Equestrian Federation (FEI) commissioned a report into claims that some members of the German team — which topped the equestrian medal table at the games — used banned drugs and medical treatments on their horses.

The report, written by former London Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens, has been delivered to the International Olympic Committee and the German Olympic committee for decisions on any sanctions.

“The IOC has received a copy of the report and its recommendations,” IOC spokesman Mark Adams said.

“Whilst we will need to take time to study and evaluate some of its key findings and recommendations before making a public statement, we can confirm at this stage that there will be no effect on any of the medal winners involved in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.”

The FEI said it will publish some of Stevens’s recommendations later this month and has granted his request to extend the investigation.

The probe was launched in May after separate claims involving horses ridden in Beijing by showjumpers Ludger Beerbaum, a four-time Olympic champion, Marco Kutscher, an individual bronze medalist at the 2004 Athens Games, and Christian Ahlmann.

Kutscher and Ahlmann also won team bronze in Athens but were downgraded from gold when teammate Beerbaum was disqualified for a doping violation.

The German federation has since disbanded its Olympic team, which last year won gold in team jumping, team eventing and individual eventing for Hinrich Romeike.

Germany also got silver and bronze medals in individual dressage from Isabell Werth and Heike Kemmer.

Five-time Olympic champion Werth was suspended in June after her horse tested positive for a sedative banned in competition.