Anti-Doping Control For horses
This page contains information on the Post Arrival Elective Testing (PAET) made available prior to the 2008 Olympic Games as well as details on the in-competition testing carried out from 8 to 22 August 2008.
Post Arrival Elective Testing
For the very first time, Post Arrival Elective Testing (PAET) was carried out at the Olympic Game. This service was provided to ensure that horses legitimately receiving medication close to competition did not lead to an inadvertent positive. The PAET samples were tested for 66 common equine medications. No tests for doping agents were conducted.
A full explanation on the procedure is available here.
Ninety-five (95) out of the 218 horses which were present in HKG including reserves took advantage of this service – 43.6%. The results were reported confidentially to the team veterinarians or their representatives within two or three days (average 2.4 days).
Of the 95 horses who made use of PAET, 17 were positive. The following substances were found: altrenogest; butorphanol; clenbuterol; detomidine carboxylic acid; dexamethasone; flunixin; meloxicam; phenylbutazone and metabolites; and romifidine.
The FEI met the cost for all of these testings.
Eight horses were tested after the 24-hour post arrival deadline at the expence of their teams. The results were reported confidentially to the team vets or their representatives within one or two days (average 1.6 days). All but one sample were tested negative for the specified medications.
The FEI has received the results in a strictly confidential matter, i.e. no horses can be linked to the results.
In-Competition Testing
Two FEI Medication Control testing veterinarians officiated during the 2008 Olympic Games. Sixty-four (64) tests were carried out. The details per discipline are as follows:
20 in Eventing (out of 70 horses which took part in the Eventing competition - 28.6%)
20 in Dressage (out of 47 horses which took part in the Dressage competition - 42.55%)
24 in Jumping (out of 77 horses which took part in the Jumping Competition - 31.7%)
Of the 64 horses tested, six returned a positive result (one in Dressage and five in Jumping), which correstponds to 9.375% . Updates on the positive medication / doping sections are available in the News section.
Fifty-eight tests were negative. The full list of the horses which tested negative is available here.