Warrnambool equestrian rider Jamie Kermond's Olympic debut is over before it started after he was provisionally suspended by Equestrian Australia for a positive drug test.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 36-year-old's positive result for cocaine came after a random test last month.
A remorseful Kermond said in a statement the result was likely from a "single recreational use of the drug" during a social event and had not connection to his sport.
"The consequence of this positive result is that I have been provisionally suspended from my sport by Equestrian Australian," he said.
"I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened, and I accept full responsibility. I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and teammates."
IN OTHER NEWS
Equestrian Australia released a statement on Wednesday confirming the show jumper had been suspended under the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021.
"The mandatory Provisional Suspension Notice asserts Mr Kermond returned a positive A-sample for a metabolite of cocaine following a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia on 26 June 2021," the statement read.
"Cocaine is prohibited in competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021.
"Mr Kermond is prohibited from participating in any WADA compliant event, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while the provisional suspension is in place."
Kermond has been at the centre of an Olympic selection scandal.
It was revealed on Monday the nation's top-ranked show jumper Rowan Willis was overlooked for the team in favour of Kermond.
The selection decision has been described as the equivalent of leaving world number one tennis player Ash Barty out of the national tennis squad.
Willis was listed behind Edwina Tops-Alexander, who is ranked 311th in the Federation Equestre Internationale rankings, Katie Laurie, ranked 469th, and Kermond, who is currently 1013th.
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.