Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was Thursday banned for a year following a horse-whipping controversy that led to her withdrawal from the Paris Games.

The British rider was provisionally suspended by governing body the International Federation for Equestrian Sports just days before the start of the 2024 Olympics after the FEI received a video showing her repeatedly striking a horse on its legs.

The footage, dating back several years, related to a training session at a stable. Dujardin's behaviour sparked widespread condemnation.

The 39-year-old, who has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs, withdrew from the Games saying she had made an "error of judgement" and expressed deep remorse.

Dujardin is now sidelined from all competition until July next year, with the suspension backdated to July 2024.

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"The FEI has suspended British dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000 ($11,300), effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her," the governing body said in a statement. "Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since 23 July, 2024 for engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. The time served during her provisional suspension will be credited towards the one-year suspension.

"During her suspension, Dujardin is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a national federation.

"British Equestrian and British Dressage have reciprocated the suspension, resulting in Dujardin's ineligibility to compete in any national competition or training events during this period."

British Equestrian chief executive Jim Eyre said: "The welfare and ethical treatment of horses has always been a priority and no one involved in our sport should be in any doubt that we expect highest standards at all times."

British Dressage chief executive Jason Brautigam said: "We stand united with the FEI in taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches of our equine welfare policies."

Dujardin has won six Olympic medals including individual and team gold at London 2012, retaining her individual dressage title at the Tokyo Games.

She could have become Britain's most decorated woman Olympian in Paris. A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of cyclist Laura Kenny, with whom she is tied on six medals.

Dujardin was eliminated from the European Championships in 2019 after blood was found on her horse, Mount St John Freestyle, in a post-competition check.

The FEI said the action taken then did not imply there was any intent to injure the horse.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was Thursday banned for a year following a horse-whipping controversy that led to her withdrawal from the Paris Games.

Three-time Olympic dressage gold medallist Charlotte Dujardin was Thursday banned for a year following a horse-whipping controversy that led to her withdrawal from the Paris Games. The British rider was provisionally suspended by governing body the International Federation for Equestrian Sports just days before the start of the 2024 Olympics after the FEI received a video showing her repeatedly striking a horse on its legs. The footage, dating back several years, related to a training session at a stable. Dujardin's behaviour sparked widespread condemnation. The 39-year-old, who has also been fined 10,000 Swiss francs, withdrew from the Games saying she had made an "error of judgement" and expressed deep remorse. Dujardin is now sidelined from all competition until July next year, with the suspension backdated to July 2024. ALSO READ: Miami Heat embarrass LA Lakers, Atlanta Hawks end Milwaukee Bucks' winning streak "The FEI has suspended British dressage athlete Charlotte Dujardin for one year and imposed a fine of CHF 10,000 ($11,300), effectively concluding the disciplinary proceedings against her," the governing body said in a statement. "Dujardin has been provisionally suspended since 23 July, 2024 for engaging in conduct contrary to the principles of horse welfare. The time served during her provisional suspension will be credited towards the one-year suspension. "During her suspension, Dujardin is prohibited from participating in all activities related to competitions or events under the jurisdiction of the FEI or of a national federation. "British Equestrian and British Dressage have reciprocated the suspension, resulting in Dujardin's ineligibility to compete in any national competition or training events during this period." British Equestrian chief executive Jim Eyre said: "The welfare and ethical treatment of horses has always been a priority and no one involved in our sport should be in any doubt that we expect highest standards at all times." British Dressage chief executive Jason Brautigam said: "We stand united with the FEI in taking a zero-tolerance approach to any breaches of our equine welfare policies." Dujardin has won six Olympic medals including individual and team gold at London 2012, retaining her individual dressage title at the Tokyo Games. She could have become Britain's most decorated woman Olympian in Paris. A medal of any colour would have taken her clear of cyclist Laura Kenny, with whom she is tied on six medals. Dujardin was eliminated from the European Championships in 2019 after blood was found on her horse, Mount St John Freestyle, in a post-competition check. The FEI said the action taken then did not imply there was any intent to injure the horse. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Dressage: Olympic hero Charlotte Dujardin banned and fined over horse-whipping row

After bolting to Ukraine to escape political persecution in her native Belarus, Olympic swimmer Aliaksandra Herasimenia never thought she would again be forced to flee, this time to save her family from Russian attack.

Herasimenia, a three-time Olympic medallist, found herself among thousands of Ukrainians massing at the border with Poland as Russian troops advanced on Kyiv.

On the second day of the Russian invasion last month, Herasimenia and her husband, Olympic swimmer Yauhen Tsurkin, scrambled to pack some belongings and set off on a 12-hour car ride to the Polish border with their young daughter and Herasimenia's mother.

With explosions resounding in the background as they inched along congested roads, Herasimenia reassured her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, telling her it was only thunder.

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"Of course I had to make something up because how do you explain to a child that war has started?" Herasimenia, who is now in Warsaw with her family, told Reuters.

Herasimenia was among the elite athletes who fled Belarus in the wake of a crackdown against those who protested what they said was the fraudulent re-election of Alexander Lukashenko in August 2020.

Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has denied any wrongdoing.

Russia has used Belarusian territory to launch a multi-pronged invasion of Ukraine, where many Belarusians settled after escaping persecution at home. Moscow says it is conducting a "special military operation" to disarm and "denazify" Ukraine.

"We've been running for a long time," said Herasimenia, whose family waited for nearly a day and a half at Ukraine's border with Poland.

"Those who left were the best of Belarusian society, those who were against what happened after the election, those who spoke out against the violence and expressed their position."

'FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM'

Herasimenia heads the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation, a group that supports athletes who have been jailed or otherwise punished for their political views.

These include Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a sprinter who defected at the Tokyo Olympics last year after being removed from the Games against her will by coaches.

Following a recommendation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), several international sports federations have barred both Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in international events because of the invasion of Ukraine.

The foundation has backed the decision to ban Belarusian athletes but says it supports efforts by those who voiced opposition to Lukashenko to compete independently.

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It is also determined to fight discrimination against Belarusians now that their country is viewed an "aggressor" by the public in many Western countries, Herasimenia said.

"A year and a half ago, we were the ones who were fighting for our rights, our freedom," said Herasimenia, who won silver in both the 100m and 50m freestyle at the 2012 London Games, and bronze in the 50m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"We called on the Europeans, Americans and everyone in Ukraine for help.

We warned that Lukashenko was very dangerous.

"It's as if this never happened... No difference is being made between those who support Lukashenko and those who fought against him."

After bolting to Ukraine to escape political persecution in her native Belarus, Olympic swimmer Aliaksandra Herasimenia never thought she would again be forced to flee, this time to save her family from Russian attack.

After bolting to Ukraine to escape political persecution in her native Belarus, Olympic swimmer Aliaksandra Herasimenia never thought she would again be forced to flee, this time to save her family from Russian attack. Herasimenia, a three-time Olympic medallist, found herself among thousands of Ukrainians massing at the border with Poland as Russian troops advanced on Kyiv. On the second day of the Russian invasion last month, Herasimenia and her husband, Olympic swimmer Yauhen Tsurkin, scrambled to pack some belongings and set off on a 12-hour car ride to the Polish border with their young daughter and Herasimenia's mother. With explosions resounding in the background as they inched along congested roads, Herasimenia reassured her three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, telling her it was only thunder. ALSO READ: Atletico Madrid win at Old Trafford to knock out Cristiano Ronaldo-starrer Manchester United "Of course I had to make something up because how do you explain to a child that war has started?" Herasimenia, who is now in Warsaw with her family, told Reuters. Herasimenia was among the elite athletes who fled Belarus in the wake of a crackdown against those who protested what they said was the fraudulent re-election of Alexander Lukashenko in August 2020. Lukashenko, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has denied any wrongdoing. Russia has used Belarusian territory to launch a multi-pronged invasion of Ukraine, where many Belarusians settled after escaping persecution at home. Moscow says it is conducting a "special military operation" to disarm and "denazify" Ukraine. "We've been running for a long time," said Herasimenia, whose family waited for nearly a day and a half at Ukraine's border with Poland. "Those who left were the best of Belarusian society, those who were against what happened after the election, those who spoke out against the violence and expressed their position." 'FIGHTING FOR FREEDOM' Herasimenia heads the Belarusian Sport Solidarity Foundation, a group that supports athletes who have been jailed or otherwise punished for their political views. These include Krystsina Tsimanouskaya, a sprinter who defected at the Tokyo Olympics last year after being removed from the Games against her will by coaches. Following a recommendation by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), several international sports federations have barred both Russian and Belarusian athletes from taking part in international events because of the invasion of Ukraine. The foundation has backed the decision to ban Belarusian athletes but says it supports efforts by those who voiced opposition to Lukashenko to compete independently. ALSO READ: Chicago Cubs owners teams up with Citadel founder Ken Griffin to bid for Chelsea Football Club It is also determined to fight discrimination against Belarusians now that their country is viewed an "aggressor" by the public in many Western countries, Herasimenia said. "A year and a half ago, we were the ones who were fighting for our rights, our freedom," said Herasimenia, who won silver in both the 100m and 50m freestyle at the 2012 London Games, and bronze in the 50m freestyle at the 2016 Rio Olympics. "We called on the Europeans, Americans and everyone in Ukraine for help. We warned that Lukashenko was very dangerous. "It's as if this never happened... No difference is being made between those who support Lukashenko and those who fought against him."

Olympic medallist Aliaksandra Herasimenia, who fled Belarus, forced into exile again as Ukraine attacked

Olympians PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will aim to continue their winning streak at the Hong Kong Open Super Series as a step on the court to play the second round of women&#39;s singles event here at Kowloon on Thursday.

Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu will clash with Aya Ohori of Japan in the second round of women&#39;s singles after defeating local player YY Leung 21-18, 21-10.

In another match, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal who outwitted Mette Poulsen of Denmark 21-19, 23-21 in the first round of the championship will take on Chen Yufei of China.

In men&#39;s singles, HS Prannoy, the recently crowned national champion, is the flag-bearer of the Indian challenge in the event. Prannoy will face Kuzumasa Kakai of Japan in the second round after he dismantled Yun Hu of Hong Kong 19-21, 21-17, 21-15 in the previous match.

Earlier, Parupalli Kashyap bowed out losing to local player Le Dong Keun 21-15, 9-21, 20-22.

B Sai Praneeth also suffered a major blow as he crashed out of the series after going down 21-8, 21-16 to second-seed Son Wan Ho of Korea.

PV Sindhu will clash with Aya Ohori of Japan in the second round of women's singles after defeating local player YY Leung 21-18, 21-10 whereas Saina Nehwal who outwitted Mette Poulsen of Denmark 21-19, 23-21 in the first round of the championship will take on Chen Yufei of China

Olympians PV Sindhu and Saina Nehwal will aim to continue their winning streak at the Hong Kong Open Super Series as a step on the court to play the second round of women's singles event here at Kowloon on Thursday. Olympic silver medallist PV Sindhu will clash with Aya Ohori of Japan in the second round of women's singles after defeating local player YY Leung 21-18, 21-10. In another match, ace shuttler Saina Nehwal who outwitted Mette Poulsen of Denmark 21-19, 23-21 in the first round of the championship will take on Chen Yufei of China. In men's singles, HS Prannoy, the recently crowned national champion, is the flag-bearer of the Indian challenge in the event. Prannoy will face Kuzumasa Kakai of Japan in the second round after he dismantled Yun Hu of Hong Kong 19-21, 21-17, 21-15 in the previous match. Earlier, Parupalli Kashyap bowed out losing to local player Le Dong Keun 21-15, 9-21, 20-22. B Sai Praneeth also suffered a major blow as he crashed out of the series after going down 21-8, 21-16 to second-seed Son Wan Ho of Korea.

Hong Kong Open: Nehwal, Sindhu aim to continue winning streak