Controversy in the Brazilian team. Luciana Diniz was selected to compete with the team for the Pan American Games, which will take place from October 31 to November 3. However, Diniz, who returned to compete under the Brazilian flag in 2022, now needs to withdraw from the competition due to the championship's rules.
The former Portuguese equestrian must withdraw with her Vertigo du Désert (Mylord Carthago, breeder: Laurent Aubaux). Previously, this combination helped secure Olympic qualification during the FEI Nations Cup finals in Barcelona.
According to the rules of the Pan American Games, an athlete can only compete in a championship two years after changing nationality. The FEI has different regulations. Diniz last competed for Portugal in 2021 during the European Championships.
"It's a regrettable mistake," Diniz commented. "None of the entire team considered that the rules of the Pan American Games differ from those of the FEI. Even though I pointed out that I last competed for Portugal in September 2021, and there is indeed over a 2-year gap between my last participation and the Pan American Games."
"Of course, I am disappointed. The Pan American Games were a goal for me! It was a dream. Fortunately, armed with this knowledge, we will now try to get the applications for Paris 2024 in order!"
More precisely, according to rules 34.5 and 34.6 of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) constitution, an "athlete who has represented a country at the Pan American Games or the Olympic Games, or at world or regional championships recognized by the relevant Pan American Sports Confederation and/or the corresponding international federation, and who has changed nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in the Pan American Games to represent their new country, provided that at least three years have elapsed since the competitor last represented their former country (understood as an international championship)." This period can be shortened or even waived with the agreement of the national Olympic committees and the relevant Pan American Sports Confederations, taking into account the circumstances of each case.
The former Portuguese equestrian must withdraw with her Vertigo du Désert (Mylord Carthago, breeder: Laurent Aubaux). Previously, this combination helped secure Olympic qualification during the FEI Nations Cup finals in Barcelona.
According to the rules of the Pan American Games, an athlete can only compete in a championship two years after changing nationality. The FEI has different regulations. Diniz last competed for Portugal in 2021 during the European Championships.
"It's a regrettable mistake," Diniz commented. "None of the entire team considered that the rules of the Pan American Games differ from those of the FEI. Even though I pointed out that I last competed for Portugal in September 2021, and there is indeed over a 2-year gap between my last participation and the Pan American Games."
"Of course, I am disappointed. The Pan American Games were a goal for me! It was a dream. Fortunately, armed with this knowledge, we will now try to get the applications for Paris 2024 in order!"
More precisely, according to rules 34.5 and 34.6 of the Pan American Sports Organization (PASO) constitution, an "athlete who has represented a country at the Pan American Games or the Olympic Games, or at world or regional championships recognized by the relevant Pan American Sports Confederation and/or the corresponding international federation, and who has changed nationality or acquired a new nationality, may participate in the Pan American Games to represent their new country, provided that at least three years have elapsed since the competitor last represented their former country (understood as an international championship)." This period can be shortened or even waived with the agreement of the national Olympic committees and the relevant Pan American Sports Confederations, taking into account the circumstances of each case.