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German Federation dissolves national squads and bans Ludger Beerbaum
Ludger Beerbaum |
The German Equestrian Federation has disbanded its national squads (Olympic disciplines) and suspended a four-time Olympic champion following a string of allegations involving doping and illegal medication.
The dissolution of the squads is pending an internal investigation. There is much concern about the effect of the current doping controversies on the lucrative TV contracts that the German FN holds.
A three-member panel set up by the German Olympic committee will conduct an investigation, starting in June, into the several positive tests for medication ahead of the Beijing Olympics last summer.
The FN President Count Breido zu Ratzau said "With the dissolution of the squads, we want to take an important step towards credibility. Before riders can be put on a squad, they will have to front the Commission and declare their attitudes as well as their behaviours as elite riders."
"It's a radical move, with which the FN wants to conduct a comprehensive clearing up with the help of independent experts," said Michael Vesper, general director of the German Olympic Committee.
Beerbaum who was part of the Olympic show-jumping team, was suspended from Team participation after admitting to illegal practices last weekend in a newspaper interview.
"In the past I had the attitude: anything that isn't found is allowed," he told the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday edition.
The German Equestrian Team won three gold one silver and one broze medal at the 2008 Olympic Games.
