Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images
- Australian showjumper Jamie Kermond has been provisionally suspended after testing positive for cocaine.
- The 36-year-old is entitled to have another sample analyzed so could still feature at Tokyo 2020.
- The games, which officially begin after Friday's opening ceremony, were to be Kermond's Olympic debut.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
An Australian showjumper's Olympic dream appears to have come to a dramatic end after he tested positive for cocaine.
36-year-old Jamie Kermond was preparing to compete in his first Olympics, but has been hit with a provisional suspension which rules him out of Tokyo 2020 for now at least.
In a press release, Equestrian Australia said Kermond returned a positive result for a metabolite of cocaine in his A-sample from a test taken on June 26.
Cocaine is an in-competition prohibited substance banned under the World Anti-Doping Agency's code and whilst the provisional suspension is in place, Kermond is barred from all competition, including the Olympics.
The Victoria-born rider, who rides a horse named Yandoo Oaks Constellation, was one of nine members of the Australian equestrian team selected to compete in Tokyo.
While he cannot compete for now, under Australia's anti-doping policy, Kermond is entitled to have his B-sample tested. If that sample returns negative, he still has a chance of competing in the games.
A spokesperson from the Australian Olympic Committee said it was aware of the provisional suspension and will consider the matter.
The team and individual jumping events do not take place until the second week of the tournament, meaning Kermond could still participate.
Kermond has not publicly commented on the test result, and as of Wednesday had a private profile on social media site Instagram.