Olympic equestrian rider is CLEARED to compete in Paris this summer after he was stood down for wearing a Borat-style MANKINI on the back of a horse at an event
- Australian rider Shane Rose, 50, has been cleared of a review after the stunt
- Rose entered a costume contest wearing only a brightly colored mankini
- Complaints were made to Equestrian Australia and Sports Integrity Australia
An Australian Olympic rider has been cleared to compete in this summer’s Paris Games after taking part in a fancy dress event in a fluorescent mankini.
Equestrian Australia (EA) has confirmed that Shane Rose, 50, a three-time Olympic medalist in eventing, has not breached the code of conduct despite complaints.
Rose was stopped from competing after wearing the flashy outfit during a show jumping competition at Wallaby Hill near Sydney earlier this month.
Footage posted by Rose on Facebook showed him donning an orange mankini, helmet and boots as he rode around an arena, much to the amusement of onlookers.
However, after some attendees took offense, EA and Sports Integrity Australia launched an investigation into the bizarre incident, leaving Rose’s hopes of competing in a fourth Olympics and winning an elusive gold medal in limbo.
Australian rider Shane Rose has been cleared to compete in the Paris Olympics after competing in an event in a striking mankini and being withdrawn following complaints
Rose (seen with wife Nikki) apologized for his actions after his medal hopes were thrown into limbo
“Shane reflected on the incident and apologized,” EA CEO Darren Gocher said.
“He understands the high standards expected of everyone involved in our high performance program. Now that the matter has been resolved, Shane and his teammates look forward to continuing their focus on qualifying for Paris.”
Fancy dress was encouraged during the competition and Rose also wore a gorilla costume and a Duffman outfit, made famous by the hit TV show The Simpsons. The assessment took into account that the event was ‘community based’.
Rose had publicly apologized on social media, but later deleted the post to avoid further escalation of the issue. This statement was also taken into consideration by EA.
“I am pleased that Equestrian Australia’s review has been completed and that I have recovered and can continue my campaign for the Paris Olympics,” Rose said after taking to social media to share their gratitude for his support.
Rose won team eventing Olympic silver in 2008 and 2020 and also took bronze in 2016
“The support and interest in this story is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. Now it’s time to focus on the task at hand and try to get Australian equestrian into the media for a more positive reason, namely an Olympic gold medal.”
EA said they would ‘work with clubs and stakeholders to assess minimum dress standards for future events’, while ‘educational models’ would be reviewed.
A sponsor of the Wallaby Hill event pledged to provide a mankini to all spectators next year and donate 100 Australian dollars for each spectator wearing one.
Rose won Olympic silver for team events in 2008 and 2020 and bronze in 2016.
He currently has three horses qualified for the upcoming Paris showpiece.