The Luxembourg Anti-Doping Agency (ALAD) has reported that showjumping rider Charlotte Bettendorf remains suspended.
On Monday 25 November 2024, ALAD announced the eighteen-month suspension of Luxembourg rider Charlotte Bettendorf, a member of its registered testing pool, for a violation of Article 2.4 of the ALAD Code, relating to the whereabouts of athletes.
ALAD specified that the article in question requires athletes in the registered testing pool to provide accurate and complete information on their whereabouts, in order to allow for unannounced doping controls to be carried out. Any combination of three missed tests or failures to provide whereabouts information within a twelve-month period results in sanctions for any athlete in the ALAD registered testing pool.
Charlotte Bettendorf has been suspended since 18 September 2024 following a decision by the anti-doping disciplinary board. This suspension was confirmed by the judgment rendered on appeal by the higher disciplinary council against doping dated 20 November 2024.
According to ALAD, this decision follows two failures to comply with the obligations to provide location data, recorded on 1 January and 1 February 2024, as well as a missed test on 16 May 2024. ALAD, in accordance with the decision rendered on appeal by the higher disciplinary council against doping, has requested that the Luxembourg Equestrian Sports Federation (FLSE), the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) and the relevant organisers, where applicable, annul any results obtained by Charlotte Bettendorf between 16 May and 18 September 2024 (the start date of the suspension), with all the consequences arising therefrom, including the withdrawal of medals, points, prizes and winnings.
ALAD reiterated that the fight against doping is a key priority to ensure the integrity of sport, both at the national and international levels. It described whereabouts obligations as "a crucial element of this fight, allowing for fair and equitable competitions to be maintained for all participants".
Charlotte Bettendorf shared her disappointment on social media that her appeal had not changed this decision. She clarified that the situation was "in no way a deliberate act on my part, but rather the result of circumstances that prevented me from updating my location information". She also emphasised that there had been zero doping accusations, instead it was "a case of failure to keep track of the whereabouts of top-level athletes".
