Revealed: Controversial ruling that could cost Team GB their FIRST gold medal in Paris after Olympics chiefs reject appeal in eventing… and it’s the French that look set to benefit!
- Team GB leads the team eventing standings in the final discipline
- But the difference would be significantly greater if there was no 15-point penalty
- The controversial ruling could mean Britain misses out on its first gold medal in Paris
A controversial ruling could see the British team miss out on their first gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
The Great Britain eventing team will go into Monday’s show jumping final with a narrow lead over second-placed France. The team has so far achieved good results in both dressage and cross-country in Paris.
But the margin is very narrow heading into the final discipline, with Team GB, represented by world number 1 Ros Canter, Tom McEwen and Laura Collett, taking the lead on 82.5 with France just behind on 87.2 in the standings.
Team GB’s chances of gold would have been significantly increased had Ros Canter not been penalised during the cross-country for missing a flag in the 21D brush skinny.
In eventing, penalties are given for missing a gate when a flag is knocked over. Despite successfully clearing the gate with her gelding Lordships Graffalo, Canter inadvertently hit the flag with her knee, knocking it over and giving her 15 penalty points.
Controversial ruling could see Team GB miss out on their first Olympic gold medal
Ros Canter was penalised after missing a gate during the cross-country, but Team GB appealed, claiming the jump was legal as she – and not Lordships Graffalo – had knocked down the flag.
Canter waves to the crowd at Lordships Graffalo after competing in the dressage on Saturday
Team GB appealed after the stage, arguing that the jump was legal as Canter himself touched the flag and Lordships Graffalo successfully passed the gate without touching it.
Olympic organisers have rejected the appeal, saying there is not enough compelling evidence to support Team GB’s claim.
It could mean Team GB miss out on their first gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. Stage three begins at 10am UK time on Monday.
After the cross-country, Canter said, “I did hit a flag coming out of the triple brush in the woods, but I never thought I didn’t jump the hurdle. I didn’t come back and think I did something other than come back in time.”
Fans took to social media to respond to the rejected appeal, claiming Canter and Team GB should feel ‘disadvantaged’ in the cross-country race.
One disappointed fan said: ‘Why did Ros Canter get a penalty when you can clearly see the horse going over the fence and her knee knocking the flag over… Disgusting!!!!!’
World Champion #1 Canter is joined by Tom McEwen (left) and Laura Collett (right) in team eventing
Another said: ‘If this is the front view of Ros Canter taking the jump that earned her penalty, how on earth did the judges decide she didn’t make it? Because that seems pretty clear to me… I think Ros must be feeling quite aggrieved, to be honest.’