Main image: Tine Magnus of Belgium riding Dia van het Lichterveld Z at the Paris Olympic Games. Image by FEI/Benjamin Clark.
The FEI has announced the provisional suspension of Tine Magnus and her horse, Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, who competed as members of Belgian eventing team at the Paris Olympics last month following a positive test for the banned substance Trazodone.
A medication used to treat anxiety and depression, studies have shown that Trazodone – a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) – can reduce a variety of stereotypical behaviours in horses.
“The FEI has announced an adverse analytical finding involving an equine prohibited substance. The case involves a Banned Substance under the FEI’s Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Regulations,” reads a statement from the FEI.
“The athlete has been provisionally suspended from the date of notification, until the FEI Tribunal renders its decision. The horse has also been provisionally suspended for two months from the date of notification.
“The athlete and horse competed at the Paris Olympic Games in Eventing. An adverse analytical finding from one team member during the Olympic Games, will lead to the disqualification of the whole team. Hence, team Belgium will be disqualified from the Eventing team competition of the Paris Olympic Games.”
The Belgian team had placed fourth in Paris.
“The Belgian federation was informed that Tine Magnus’ horse Dia van het Lichterveld Z tested positive (A-sample) during the Olympic Games in Paris,” reads a statement from the Belgian equestrian federation.
“The Belgian team in general and Tine Magnus in particular are very surprised by this result.
“Pending further steps in the procedure (analysis of B sample, etc.), Tine Magnus has been provisionally suspended by the FEI.
“Although all horses were tested beforehand and the team did their utmost to avoid incidents, this is the current situation that has an impact on the team result.
“We are now analysing and clarifying the situation. Together with Tine Magnus we are investigating what exactly happened and we want to find out the details of the situation.”
