IRISH SHOWJUMPER Denis Lynch could face a lengthy ban from the sport after his horse tested positive for a prohibited substance at the Olympic Games in the latest drugs controversy to hit Irish sport.
Protesting he had not knowingly done anything wrong, Lynch admitted yesterday he may have made a serious mistake in using an over-the-counter product Equi-Block on his horse Lantinus.
The 32-year-old was removed from the individual showjumping event at the Games yesterday when Lantinus tested positive to the Class A prohibited substance, capsaicin, a derivative of chilli pepper.
"I'm shattered. That's it. Shattered," said Lynch yesterday.
"I've been using it for years on horses. It's been effective. If I thought it was a threat to me there's no way I would have used it."
The result is viewed as deeply embarrassing for Irish equestrianism, which is still haunted by the memories of showjumper Cian O'Connor being stripped of his gold medal after Waterford Crystal tested positive for a sedative four years ago in Athens.
O'Connor's breach of the rules resulted in a three-month ban, but the prohibited substance found in Waterford Crystal was not seen to be performance-enhancing.
Lynch's horse, a 10-year-old which is ranked number one in the world, was one of four to return positive A sample results yesterday following blood and urine collections taken on Monday.
The seriousness of the finding was expressed by International Equestrian Federation (FEI) vet Dr Paul Farrington, who confirmed that capsaicin is considered a performance-enhancing drug. It has always been considered an illegal substance but the technique to discover its use has only recently been developed.
"It is a forbidden product in terms of preventing pain relief," said Dr Farrington. "It can make horses jump better and enhances the performance of the horse."
The result from the B sample, which almost always confirms the A result, is expected to be known tomorrow. Once the result of that sample is known evidence and written submissions will be requested from the rider and a three-member panel of the FEI will be appointed.
It is this panel that will make a decision on the applicable sanctions for the Irish rider, who was tipped to take a medal in yesterday afternoon's competition in Hong Kong.
"I can't really say anymore," added Lynch. "We came here [to a press conference] as we have nothing to hide and have done nothing wrong."
Lynch said he commonly applied Equi-Block to the horse's lower back prior to exercise.
Vice-president of the FEI Sven Holmberg also suggested that the use of capsaicin may have been systematic as horses from Brazil, Germany and Norway also tested positive for the drug. They were also withdrawn from the competition.
"This is a serious blow to the sport," said Holmberg. "We are aware of the potential implications this has for equestrian sport and showjumping. The four tested positive for the same substance. I don't know if we can call it a trend but it does add to the seriousness of the case."
Olympic Council of Ireland chef de mission Dermot Henihan also made a statement on behalf of the Irish Olympic team.
"We wish to express our bitter disappointment. We were all looking forward to a night of success but our hopes were dashed. It happened. It shouldn't happen and we're disappointed. The simple fact is the horse is eliminated. It is a bitter pill that we have to swallow and move on."
If the B sample confirms the A finding Lynch's future will hinge on whether the FEI decides that the drug was administered benignly in the way the commonly-used "deep heat" menthol rub is used by athletes or more sinisterly as a method of hyper-sensitising the horse's legs so they lift higher when jumping.
Like the drug found in Waterford Crystal, capsaicin is also used in the treatment of humans. It is commonly administered to relieve pain in people suffering from osteoarthritis, shingles and diabetes.
