FEI Tribunal issues final decision on Maxime Livio (FRA) case

The FEI Tribunal has issued its final decision in the case involving the athlete Maxime Livio (FRA) and horse Qalao des Mers at the Eventing competition of the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, following a positive finding for a Controlled Medication Substance.

The FEI Tribunal has imposed a six-month suspension on Livio, effective immediately from yesterday (7 May), in accordance with Article 169 of the FEI’s General Regulations and Article 10.2 of the Equine Controlled Medication Rules.

Livio has also been fined CHF 2,500, and will have to cover the B Sample analysis costs and contribute towards the costs of the judicial procedure.

Samples taken on 29 August 2014 from the horse Qalao des Mers (FEI ID 103MQ19) returned positive for Hydroxyethylpromazine sulfoxide, a metabolite of the sedative Acepromazine. Acepromazine is a Controlled Medication Substance on the FEI Prohibited Substances List. Controlled Medications are substances that are regularly used to treat horses, but which are not allowed in competition in order to maintain a level playing field.

The FEI Tribunal last month disqualified Livio and the French Eventing team from their placings at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014. Livio finished fifth in the individual competition and was also a member of the fourth-placed French team. As a result of the team disqualification, France has lost its Rio 2016 Olympic slot.

The FEI Tribunal ruled on the disqualification of Livio and the French Eventing team in last month’s partial decision following a request from the FEI that the Tribunal rule separately on this element of the case due to the consequences regarding Olympic qualification

Rio 2016 qualifications: following the disqualification of the French team, the Canadian Eventing team, which finished seventh at the FEI World Equestrian Games™ 2014, has moved up one place and is now qualified for Rio 2016.

The nations so far qualified for the Eventing competition at the 2016 Olympic Games are Australia, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland and the Netherlands. Brazil, as host nation, earns automatic team qualification for Rio 2016, although as with all other nations, individual team members must achieve the minimum eligibility requirements.

Source: Press release FEI