Luxembourg rider Charlotte Bettendorf was suspended for 18 months by the Luxembourg Anti-Doping Association (ALAD) on Sept. 18, 2024, although the suspension has nothing to do with doping.
On Jan. 2, however, Bettendorf received an alert from ALAD due to a missing update in the ADAMS system, which requires top athletes to track their whereabouts. Technical problems with her phone and timing around the holidays complicated a quick fix. A second warning followed in February when her calendar was again found to be incomplete.
The third violation followed on May 16. Due to a last-minute change in her travel schedule to the CSIO Peelbergen, Bettendorf was not available for inspection at her specified location. She immediately offered to be tested at Peelbergen, but this was refused by the inspectors.
In July, Bettendorf received two settlement proposals: a 12-month suspension with no effect on her results or a shorter suspension with cancellation of her performance since May. She rejected both proposals, believing the violations were purely administrative.
After a hearing on Sept. 5, in which she defended her case along with her lawyer, the verdict came on Sept. 18: an 18-month suspension. Remarkably, the disciplinary board acknowledged that no doping was involved and that her results remain valid until the verdict.
The impact of the suspension is enormous. Bettendorf lost horses placed in her confidence, had to sell other horses and cannot practice her work as a rider and trainer for the time being. “I remain available for checks, but am not allowed to do anything myself within the sport. This is frustrating. I decided to appeal because I believe in a just outcome,” she stated.
Unfortunately, the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CCD) proved fruitless. The ruling remains unchanged and ALAD has asked the Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Sports Equestres (FLSE) to invalidate all its results as of May 16, 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Bettendorf remains hopeful. “I want to clarify once again that this is by no means an intentional act on my part, but rather the result of circumstances that prevented me from updating my location data. I don't understand this decision, but I have to live with it. I will come back stronger, with many new projects. Thanks to my family, partners and entire team for their support,” she wrote in a comment on social media.
On Jan. 2, however, Bettendorf received an alert from ALAD due to a missing update in the ADAMS system, which requires top athletes to track their whereabouts. Technical problems with her phone and timing around the holidays complicated a quick fix. A second warning followed in February when her calendar was again found to be incomplete.
The third violation followed on May 16. Due to a last-minute change in her travel schedule to the CSIO Peelbergen, Bettendorf was not available for inspection at her specified location. She immediately offered to be tested at Peelbergen, but this was refused by the inspectors.
In July, Bettendorf received two settlement proposals: a 12-month suspension with no effect on her results or a shorter suspension with cancellation of her performance since May. She rejected both proposals, believing the violations were purely administrative.
After a hearing on Sept. 5, in which she defended her case along with her lawyer, the verdict came on Sept. 18: an 18-month suspension. Remarkably, the disciplinary board acknowledged that no doping was involved and that her results remain valid until the verdict.
The impact of the suspension is enormous. Bettendorf lost horses placed in her confidence, had to sell other horses and cannot practice her work as a rider and trainer for the time being. “I remain available for checks, but am not allowed to do anything myself within the sport. This is frustrating. I decided to appeal because I believe in a just outcome,” she stated.
Unfortunately, the appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CCD) proved fruitless. The ruling remains unchanged and ALAD has asked the Fédération Luxembourgeoise des Sports Equestres (FLSE) to invalidate all its results as of May 16, 2024.
Despite these setbacks, Bettendorf remains hopeful. “I want to clarify once again that this is by no means an intentional act on my part, but rather the result of circumstances that prevented me from updating my location data. I don't understand this decision, but I have to live with it. I will come back stronger, with many new projects. Thanks to my family, partners and entire team for their support,” she wrote in a comment on social media.