That made way for Tops-Alexander and Katie Laurie being permitted to compete at the Tokyo Games instead. We are thrilled with the outcome for our remaining two jumping athletes, who have been anxiously awaiting confirmation regarding their participation at the Games, Chef de Mission, Ian Chesterman, said.
Katie Laurie (Getty) Edwina and Katie have both worked extremely hard to earn their place on the Australian team and we are delighted they will get the opportunity to realise their Olympic aspirations in arena at Tokyo.
For Tops-Alexander it will be her fourth Olympics, a first for an Aussie jumping athlete, while Laurie will be making her debut at the Games.
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Jul 21, 2021; Fukushima, Japan; Japan infielder Minori Naito (14) rounds the bases after hitting a two-run home run against Australia in the third inning of a softball opening round game during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Fukushima Azuma Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Network
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July 21 (Reuters) - The hometown team scored the first win of the Tokyo Olympics as the pandemic-delayed Games began with an 8-1 win for Japan over Australia in the softball.
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Equestrian-Australia showjumpers can compete after teammate’s cocaine scandal
Tokyo 2020 Olympics - Equestrian Dressage Training - Equestrian Park, Tokyo, Japan - July 22, 2021 A horse trots during training REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis
July 23, 2021
TOKYO (Reuters) -Australia’s Olympic equestrian team were relieved on Friday after showjumpers Edwina Tops-Alexander and Katie Laurie were allowed to compete as individuals after their teammate Jamie Kermond tested positive for cocaine use.
Kermond was booted off Australia’s Olympics team on Wednesday after a test showed he had taken the drug, effectively dismantling the three-rider team and throwing the other two’s fate into the balance.
“We are thrilled with the outcome for our remaining two Jumping athletes, who have been anxiously awaiting confirmation regarding their participation at the Games,” said Australia’s Chef de Mission Ian Chesterman.
Roy Masters16:53, Jul 23 2021
John Cowpland/AlphaPix/Stuff
Katie Laurie, pictured at the 2014 Horse of the Year show in Hastings, has been give the all-clear to compete at the Games.
A marathon meeting between executives of equestrian’s governing body and the International Olympic Committee led to Australia’s two female showjumpers being free to compete as individuals at the Tokyo Olympics. The disqualification of equestrian Jamie Kermond from the Australian showjumping team for a doping breach and the failure of the travelling reserve, Rowan Willis, to quarantine his horse on time, meant the team could not compete in Tokyo. It also threatened the possibility of the remaining riders securing individual slots.