Charlotte Dujardin, Great Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, has pulled out of Paris 2024 after a video emerged showing her “making an error of judgement”.
Dujardin, 39, says she is under investigation from the International Federation for Equestian Sports (FEI) and will withdraw from competing while this takes place.
The equestrian rider has won three gold medals across London 2012 and Rio 2016, and needed one more medal at the Paris Games to become the female British athlete with the most medals.
She is currently tied with retired cyclist Laura Kenny on six medals having also won silver at Rio before two bronzes at Tokyo 2020.
Dujardin said in a statement: “What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse.
“A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session. Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place.”
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The video in question has not been made public and it is unclear what the nature of the investigation is at this stage.
“What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse. I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment,” she added.
“I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.
“I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.
“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.”
