Controversy hit Australia’s Olympic team on the first day of sporting action in Tokyo, with a remorseful Jamie Kermond kicked off the team after the showjumper tested positive for a metabolite of cocaine.
Australia’s chef de mission at the 2020 Games, Ian Chesterman, confirmed on Wednesday that Kermond’s membership of the team had been terminated after he had brought the sport into disrepute.
Equestrian Australia advised on Wednesday morning that an A-sample test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia on 26 June this year had returned the adverse result.
Kermond, a three-time Australian champion, was provisionally suspended by Equestrian Australia and was barred from all competition, including the Olympics.
“It is likely that the positive result was from a single recreational use of the drug at a social event and had no connection with my sport of equestrian,” Kermond said in a statement.
“I am extremely upset and remorseful as to what has happened and I accept full responsibility. I am truly sorry as I have let a lot of people down including my family and teammates.