Eventing not but confirmed for 2028 Olympics – with weeks to determine on format

Eventing has simply weeks to determine on a brand new competitors format for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Video games, after the FEI was hit with an surprising deadline.

The self-discipline is just not but confirmed for the 2028 Video games, though main figures have “confidence” it will likely be. The information comes as a shock given an FEI press launch in October stating that the “equestrian disciplines” in Paris can be on the sports activities programme for Los Angeles.

The Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) additionally knowledgeable the FEI earlier than Christmas that it has till 1 March to give you a brand new format. Briefly, the IOC would love medals to be awarded after cross-country, as that is the game’s largest draw.

An FEI spokesman confirmed to H&H that no modifications are deliberate in showjumping and dressage, aside from minor enhancements, which will be determined after Paris.

In a pre-recorded video message, FEI president Ingmar de Vos instructed the 2024 FEI on-line eventing seminar in the present day (20 January) that eventing being included within the 2028 programme is topic to discovering a venue that accommodates all equestrian disciplines on one web site, together with the cross-country section.

At earlier Video games, together with Tokyo, the cross-country has at occasions been held at a satellite tv for pc venue, which comes with “exponential prices” and is logistically difficult.

“I’m assured that we can affirm such a venue within the coming months,” stated Mr de Vos, urging everybody to “hold an open thoughts” as regards to a brand new format.

“However we are also dedicated to work carefully with the IOC and LA28 to scale back the prices and complexity of our equestrian occasions on the Video games.”

Prices, venue and recognition are parameters those that comply with the Olympics will already be acquainted with. Broadcast and digital figures are used as a measure for recognition, which is why the FEI takes severe observe when the IOC and Olympic Broadcasting Providers (OBS) highlights the enchantment of cross-country, and asks the federation to contemplate format modifications to capitalise on this.

A number of concepts had been advised, which might be just like short-format in type, whereas retaining long-format distances. The primary would comprise three days of competitors, beginning with a dressage day, adopted by the group and particular person showjumping phases on day two, and ending with the cross-country on the ultimate day.

One other would characteristic dressage within the morning and group showjumping within the afternoon on each the primary two days, adopted by cross-country on day three (the place the group medals could be determined), then showjumping for the person medals on day 4.

FEI eventing committee chairman and Olympic gold medallist David O’Connor echoed Mr de Vos’s confidence that eventing can be confirmed for LA28 within the subsequent couple of months. He stated one of many causes is that organisers need to announce all venues collectively, which is the case for a lot of sports activities – not simply equestrian.

He added that the thought for a format change focuses on “ make eventing much more engaging”.

“OBS actually likes the cross-country facet of our sport, as a result of it’s normally at a venue that has been fairly iconic and the photographs are all the time fairly thrilling,” stated Mr O’Connor.

“They’re truly very constructive concerning the cross-country facet of eventing, in order that they need to enhance viewer curiosity and enhance sport rankings, which is basically necessary in how Olympic sports activities are judged.

“In order that they need to make it extra accessible and comprehensible, to drive a higher appreciation, and actually minimise any notion and strategy from organising committees about prices.”

FEI Olympic and eventing director Catrin Norinder stated there can be “room for dialogue”, including it’ll present nationwide federations with proposed codecs.

She added that the Olympic programme and codecs will solely be confirmed by the IOC after Paris.

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H&H senior information author

Lucy is an skilled information journalist, reporter and presenter. Since becoming a member of the Horse & Hound group in 2015, Lucy has reported from main world sporting occasions together with the Tokyo Paralympic Video games and a number of European Championships, in addition to Badminton, Burghley and London, to call just a few. She has coated present affairs and sports activities information throughout the total spectrum of equestrian disciplines and racing, in addition to human and equine welfare, trade information and courtroom circumstances.