The Swiss Supreme Court has rejected an appeal filed by Tony Andre Hansen of Norway against his disqualification from the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Hansen’s horse, Camiro, tested positive for the prohibited substance capsaicin during the Olympic Games, and Hansen was provisionally suspended on Aug. 21, 2008. Shortly after, a panel of the Fédération Equestre Internationale Tribunal heard the case and issued their final decision on Dec. 22, 2008. Hansen was suspended until Jan. 2, 2009, and was also disqualified from all placings with Camiro at the Games.
Hansen appealed the FEI Tribunal decision to the Court Of Arbitration For Sport, based in Lausanne, Switzerland. On Dec. 4, 2009, that court dismissed the appeal and upheld the FEI’s final decision.
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Hansen subsequently appealed that decision to the Swiss Supreme Court, but that appeal was rejected on July 30. There is no appeal against a Supreme Court decision.
As a result of the ruling, Hansen must pay costs of approximately $4,300 and legal fees to the FEI of approximately $5,200.
Additionally, the Norwegians are stripped of the show jumping team bronze medal, which will be awarded to the Swiss team that originally finished in fourth place.
