Alex Peternell on Asih, photo by Samantha
In one of the strangest stories I have ever seen about the Olympics, South African event rider Alexander Peternell has successfully forced his home country to send him to the Olympics despite the South African Olympic federation’s desire to surrender their Olympic spot instead. In May, Alexander Peternell (world ranked 164th) was informed that Peter Hart (ranked 442nd) had been selected above him for South Africa’s lone Olympic eventing spot. Peternell issued an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ruled in favor of Peternell on Saturday. As Abbie wrote about in today’s news and notes, instead of giving in and sending Peternell, the South African federation decided to give up their Olympic eventing spot, issuing a statement that read in part:
“The [South African] Federation maintain that in their opinion Paul Hart is the correct choice and therefore have not seen their way clear to submit a nomination for Alex Peternell…the [South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee] SASCOC Board has decided that we will not utilise the one slot available to the eventing discipline at the Olympic Games.“
Peternell returned to the CAS and today received a second ruling in his favor, this time forcing the South African federation to send him to the Olympics. The Telegraph quotes SASCOC chief executive Tubby Reddy as saying “It forces upon the South African public an athlete that they do not necessarily recognise and one that they do not necessarily support.” Peternell pretty gracious in his statements and Hart sounds understandably slightly bitter. [Statements from involved parties]
One interesting point that was raised to me by someone who is extremely well informed about the Olympic qualifying and selection process is that there are two South Africans ranked above Peternell in the FEI’s world rankings [PDF]. Mandy Mason is ranked 154th with 82 points, and Martyn Swanepoel is ranked 159th with 79 points. World ranking and points were a major part of the argument Peternell has used to justify his right to selection. I can only speculate that Mason and Swanepoel did not have sound horses available in Great Britain. I believe the South African quarantine to the UK is 6 months or more.
The potential for a legal battle is much more of a factor in the selection process than a lot of people think. More than once I have had a seemingly inexplicable and pointless USEF selection detail or step be explained to me as part of an effort to avoid any potential legal issue. The South African situation illustrates how divisive and convoluted a selection dispute can become. I hope the South Africans can mend relations enough to get behind and support Peternell.
London 2012 Olympics: British-based eventing rider wins appeal over non-selection for South Africa team [Telegraph, COTH]
Go eventing.
