Gareth Hughes did not attend the press conference after the team competition. It was on it that his teammates told Hughes that he had tested positive but rode anyway. According to British rider Richard Davison, Hughes had permission to compete.
According to representatives of the organization in Herning, this must have been in accordance with Danish law. However, according to the FEI’s protocol for Covid-19, it states that anyone who has tested positive for Covid-19 must immediately leave the arena, writes tidningenridsport.se.
Something Hughes, who competed on Saturday, did not. He participated in the award ceremony and stood on the podium together with the other WC medalists. He is said to have also moved on the front row and in the press room.
The FEI says it was not aware of Hughes’ positive covid test.
Britten’s teammates pointed out at the press conference that they tested negative and that Hughes should have been careful and kept his distance from others.
Gareth Hughes recorded 75.978 per cent on Saturday and his result was included in what counted for Great Britain.
It is unclear whether the FEI will go so far as to strike Hughes’ results. Should that happen, Richard Davison’s 68,851 will be counted instead. Then Great Britain ends up at 227.096 percent and is pushed down to fourth place. Then the silver goes instead to Germany and the bronze to Sweden, which stayed at 227.142 percent.
At the European Championships in Rotterdam three years ago, Sweden was named bronze medalist after one of Great Britain’s horses showed blood.