Showjumper Cian O'Connor of Ireland must give back his Olympic gold medal because of a doping offense on his horse, the International Equestrian Federation ruled on Sunday.
FEI spokeswoman Muriel Faienza told AP that the organization's judicial committee ordered O'Connor's disqualification after an 11-hour hearing in Zurich, Switzerland.
O'Connor, who became a national hero when he rode Waterford Crystal to Ireland's only medal at the Athens Games, failed to defend charges that his victory was tainted because his horse tested positive for prohibited substances.
But the rider, who consistently denied cheating, saved some honor because FEI found he was "not involved in a deliberate attempt to affect the performance of the horse."
FEI also ordered O'Connor to serve a three-month suspension starting at the end of next month. O'Connor was not available for comment.
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