Norway Loses Olympic Bronze, Goes to Swiss

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has issued its decision in the case involving the horse Camiro ridden by Tony Andre Hansen (NOR) at the 2008 Olympic Games.

The appeal filed by Tony Andre Hansen on 19 January 2009 is dismissed and the decision of the FEI Tribunal rendered on 22 December 2008 is confirmed. This means that, apart from the 135-day suspension which the rider has already served, he is disqualified from all Individual and Team competitions at the 2008 Olympic Games and the bronze medal won in the team Jumping event along with any points and prize money is forfeited. A consequence of the disqualification of Tony Andre Hansen is the subtraction of his results from the Norwegian Jumping Team and the replacement with the results of the next team member. As a result, the Norwegian Jumping Team is placed eighth (8th) in the Olympic team classification which is as follows:

1. USA

2. Canada

3. Switzerland

4. The Netherlands

5. Great Britain

6. Sweden

7. Australia

8. Norway

9. Germany

Tony Andre Hansen is also ordered to pay CHF 6,000 towards FEI’s legal fees and expenses.

“The FEI welcomes the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport,” FEI Secretary General Alex McLin commented. “The fact that the CAS has ruled in FEI’s favour in this long and vigorously contested case demonstrates that the FEI judicial process is fair, thorough and respects the rights of the parties. The last pending Olympic equestrian case is now closed.”