Belgian eventing team officially disqualified from Paris 2024
The Belgian eventing rider Tine Magnus' doping case from the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, France have now come through the FEI Tribunal. Leading to the rider being disqualified as an individual and the team loosing their final 4th place ranking.
The source of Trazodone found in the blood samples of Magnus' horse Dia van het Lichterveld Z (Diamant de Semilly x Canadian River) was identified as the supplement RELAX PRO from Global Medics – Equine Care Group, which was provided by the Belgium National Federation, and the Team Veterinarian.
The results are based on an independent analysis commissioned by the Person Responsible (PR) and conducted by two highly recognized toxicologists. Professor Jan Tytgat, KU Leuven, Belgium, and Professor Pascal Kintz, Strasbourg, France.
Both experts confirmed the presence of Trazodone in RELAX PRO, which was administered to the Horse during the Olympic Games.
In assessing the PR’s level of fault or negligence, the FEI considered several key factors:
- The PR is well aware of anti-doping regulations for both horses and humans and adheres strictly to them. She only administers treatments that benefit the Horse’s welfare and always follows her veterinarian’s advice.
- She meticulously tracks feed, records batches and invoices, and ensures her team, including the groom, is well-trained in preventing cross-contamination. Stable access is highly restricted.
- The PR typically limits supplement use to batch-controlled products but, as part of the Olympic Team, relied on guidance from the Team Veterinarian and the National Federation (NF). The supplements were provided by the NF and Team Vet, indicating no reckless intent but rather procedural shortcomings beyond the PR’s control.
- The PR trusted the Team Vet’s advice and the Equine Care Group’s reputation, especially since RELAX PRO was marketed as “doping-free.” Given her limited prior use of supplements, she had little reason to question its safety.
- The PR acknowledges the NF and Team Vet acted in good faith but notes that supplements were sometimes administered without her direct knowledge during the event.
The FEI highlighted a critical failure by the NF and Team Vet in ensuring the safety of the provided supplements.
In such a high-level environment, it raises serious concerns that anti-doping responsibilities were delegated to someone not aligned with FEI Clean Sport recommendations.
There was no evidence that the Team Vet warned the Ms. Magnus about the risks of supplement use—instead, he actively encouraged an extensive regime involving over 14 different products.
Given the well-documented risks and repeated warnings to NFs and stakeholders, particularly in Clean Sport Messaging before the Olympics, it is startling that such a practice was endorsed.
This oversight has now created a difficult situation for everyone involved—not just the PR, but also the entire Team and NF, who now face the loss of their 4th-place finish in Eventing at the Olympic Games.
The riders in the Belgian eventing team in Paris were Karin Donckers, Lara de Liedekerke-Meier, Tine Magnus.
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