Rowan Willis and Blue Movie competing at the 2018 World Equestrian Games
23rd July 2021
The Australian Olympic Committee has been informed that Edwina Tops-Alexander and Katie Laurie will be permitted to compete in the Individual Jumping competition at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman, has welcomed the decision to allow Tops-Alexander and Laurie to participate in the Games following the deselection of teammate Jamie Kermond on Tuesday.
“We are thrilled with the outcome for our remaining two Jumping athletes, who have been anxiously awaiting confirmation regarding their participation at the Games.
“Edwina and Katie have both worked extremely hard to earn their place on the Australian team and we are delighted they will get the opportunity to realise their Olympic aspirations in arena at Tokyo.”
Tokyo 2020 will mark a milestone fourth Olympics for Tops-Alexander, making her the first Australian Jumping athlete to ride at four Games.
“I’m very happy about the outcome for myself and Katie Laurie to be able compete as individuals in Tokyo. I’m proud and I look forward to representing Australia. I will absolutely give it my utmost best,” she said.
Laurie will be making her Australian Olympic debut in Tokyo and says she can’t wait to compete at the Games.
“Words cannot describe the feeling of hearing that Edwina and I could both go as individuals. It’s been a rollercoaster but we are ready and so excited to get to Tokyo.”
Australia will not be represented in the Team Jumping competition in Tokyo (see details below)
Tops-Alexander and Laurie will arrive in Tokyo on Wednesday 28 July as scheduled.
22nd July 2021
As Australia’s dressage riders prepare to start competition and the eventing riders and horses settle into Tokyo, it seems that the Australian show jumping team for Tokyo 2020 has been stopped in its tracks.
On 21st July, Equestrian Australia (EA) provisionally suspended the showumping team member Jamie Kermond 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. Cocaine is prohibited In-Competition by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the Australian National Anti-Doping Policy 2021” says the EA statement
This means that Jamie is prohibited from participating in any WADA compliant event, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, while the provisional suspension is in place. Under the Anti-Doping Policy, he now has the opportunity to have his B-sample analysed.
On 30th June Jamie, riding Yandoo Oaks Constellation, was named as part of the Australian show jumping team for Tokyo 2020 along with Edwina Tops-Alexander on Identity Vitseroel and Katie Laurie Casebrook Lomond.
The nominated Travelling Reserve rider was Rowan Willis with Blue Movie ('Carrots'). However Rowan withdrew on 9th July, stating on social media that “I have weighed up the options very carefully and consider it in the best interest of my horse Carrots not to undertake such a demanding global travel schedule when the EA have made it clear there is no tactical plan to start her”
The Australian showjumping team for Tokyo has had difficulties from the start with the selection processes coming under scrutiny due to ‘conflict of interest’ issues.
An EA statement on the 14th July advised that “We confirm that a conflict of interest was disclosed at the beginning of the selection process, and this conflict was declared and managed in accordance with the EA Conflict of Interest Policy”
At this stage it remains unclear if the two remaining riders, Edwina Tops-Alexander and Katie Laurie will be allowed to compete at Tokyo 2020 as Individuals
