Australian three-time Olympic medallist Shane Rose has been stood down from competition for wearing a mankini during a show jumping event.
Equestrian Australia said “concerns were raised” about the 50-year-old's “attire” during the event at Wallaby Hill near Sydney last weekend. The governing body said it “has an obligation to address these concerns and is currently reviewing the matter”.
Riders were encouraged to wear fancy dress at the event. Paris 2024 hopeful Rose wore three costumes – a fluorescent orange mankini, a gorilla costume and a Duffman outfit from the Simpsons.
He wrote on Facebook: “If my costume offended anyone, I am truly sorry as this was never my intention.” Rose also said he hoped the incident would not affect his Olympic preparation.
He later deleted the post to de-escalate the issue. Rose, who won team eventing silver at the 2008 and 2020 Olympics and bronze at 2016, told the Sydney Morning Herald, external he wanted the situation resolved quickly.
“With a bit of luck this will all be a bit of a laugh in a few days and we can all move on,” he said.
“I wore a costume which you could see at a theme park or a beach. Potentially no-one has done it on [a] horse, but there you go.
“I think I am a good person and I do a lot for the sport, and for people in different situations. I don't feel like I have done anything particularly bad.
“In hindsight, I should have re-thought what I did, but at the time I thought it was just a bit of fun.” Equestrian Australia chief executive Darren Gocher said the complaint was made about how Rose was dressed and that there were children at the event.
“Whether it is one [complaint] or 1,000, we have an obligation to review it,” he said.
In a statement Equestrian Australia said Rose was bound by the High Performance and Equestrian Australia Codes of Conduct and Athlete Agreement and it expects a resolution this week.
“To be clear, Shane has not been suspended or sanctioned,” it said.
“As is usual in these circumstances for all high performance athletes, he has been stood down from competition for several days while the review is carried out.
“This does not affect his ability to train or otherwise participate in the sport. Equestrian Australia has also encouraged Shane to provide an account of the events if he wishes to do so.” Several Olympic equestrian competitors have accused Equestrian Australia of over-reacting.
— CutC by bbc.com
