Team GB legend Charlotte Dujardin has pulled out of the Paris Olympics after a video emerged showing her ‘making an error of judgement’.
Dujardin, Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, was just days away from featuring at her fourth Olympic Games.
However, the 39-year-old withdrew from the Olympics on Tuesday afternoon after a video emerged showing her make an ‘error of judgement’.
‘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,’ the dressage star said in a statement.
‘I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment.’
Dujardin is one of the most decorated dressage riders of her era and claimed two gold medals at the 2012 London Olympics.
Charlotte Dujardin full statement
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.
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.
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.
Charlotte Dujardin, 23rd July 2024′
She enjoyed further success on superstar Valegro in Rio four years later, winning gold in the individual dressage and silver in the team event.
Dujardin was going for gold in Paris after taking home two bronze medals at Tokyo 2020.
As well as pulling out of the Games, Dujardin is also under investigation from the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage.
She was due to compete in both the individual dressage and team event in Paris alongside Carl Hester and world champion Lottie Fry.
A medal of any colour would have seen Dujardin become the most-decorated British female Olympian in history, surpassing cycling legend Laura Kenny.
In the days leading up to the start of Paris 2024, Dujardin said it felt ‘surreal’ to be on the cusp of becoming Great Britain’s most successful female Olympian.
‘It will be one of the most incredible moments if that does happen,’ she told BBC Sport. ‘But I don’t put any pressure on myself to make that happen.
‘It’s a brilliant team with Carl and Lottie. I’ll be in it to win it. For sure I’m not going down without a fight. That’s the sort of person I am. I’m very, very competitive.’