The FEI Tribunal has issued its Final Decision in the case of Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z ridden by Tine Magnus (BEL) at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“I can with confirm with lifted head and declare that I have never deliberately used doping” says eventing rider Tine Magnus on her Facebook page following the Final Decision by the FEI Tribunal in the case involving a Prohibited Substance from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The horse Dia Van Het Lichterveld Z, ridden by Tine Magnus for the Belgian team at Paris 2024, tested positive for the prohibited substance Trazodone during the Games, resulting in Tine’s suspension in September 2024 and the disqualification of the Belgian team from Paris 2024, where they originally took fourth place.
Independent Toxicology Report traces source of Banned Substance
The FEI Press Release (3rd February 2025) advises that “The athlete was able to trace the source of the Banned Substance in the horse’s system back to the supplement RELAX PRO – Global Medics – Equine Care Group. This finding was based on an independent analysis requested by the athlete from two highly recognised toxicologists. This contamination hence accounted for the positive finding in the horse, and the athlete had clearly established on a balance of probabilities, how the Banned Substance Trazodone entered the horse’s system. Consequently, the FEI and the athlete entered into a Settlement Agreement”
As a result, the FEI Tribunal imposed an ineligibility period of five months on the athlete from the starting date of the Final Decision. The provisional suspension of the athlete, which came into effect on 3rd September 2024, has been applied against the ineligibility period, meaning that Tine will be eligible to compete as of 3 February 2025. Tine was also fined CHF 4,000.
“The FEI writes that I as a responsible person must prove whether there is cross contamination or another cause” states Tine “As an athlete, you must be able to explain and prove how the prohibited drug has ended up in your horse's system. This is a heavy burden on the shoulders of athletes, and fortunately, I passed that ordeal”
“These results were presented to the FEI because I wanted to demonstrate that I had never intentionally administered a prohibited drug to my horse. On the package of RELAX PRO said nota bene "doping free". The FEI told me that even when in fact I have done nothing wrong as in this case, I cannot appeal to the concept of No Fault or Negligence. As an athlete carry your risk liability even if you don't get a blame”
Tine says she has agreed to the Settlement Agreement to finalise ‘this black period’ and is looking forward to being out competing again very soon.
The FEI Press Release also included cautionary advice regarding Banned Substances and/or Controlled Medication Substances and links to further information.
FEI Warning Regarding the Administration of Supplements to Horses
Persons Responsible should be aware that it is not unusual for supplements, herbal remedies etc. marketed within the equine industry or over the internet to contain Banned Substances or Controlled Medication Substances that are not disclosed on the product label. It is also possible that those substances are contained in different amounts in the supplement, herbal remedies etc. than stated on the label, or the product used may have been inadvertently contaminated with a Banned or Controlled Medication Substance.
There is no guarantee that the ingredients list on any supplement, herbal remedy etc. is accurate.
Any Person Responsible who uses supplements, herbal remedies etc. for his/her horse does so at his or her own risk of committing an EADCMR violation. Persons Responsible should always ensure that they exercise extreme caution and judgment in the products that they use. Persons Responsible are also advised to ensure that all members of their Support Personnel are informed about the risk of giving supplements, herbal remedies to their horses and act accordingly.
For further information please consult the Equine Anti-Doping Rules and the Equine Controlled Medication Regulations. The full FEI Warning Regarding the Administration of Supplements to horses can be found on the Clean Sport for Horses - FEI Prohibited Substances List page.
