Egyptian equestrian Mohamed Talaat appeals his suspension

Noemie Weill, the Swiss lawyer of the Egyptian equestrian Mohamed Talaat said that the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) decision to suspend Talaat is not final.

The FEI suspended Talaat for alleged a positive sample of prohibited substances. Weill indicated that procedures were taken to appeal against the decision before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which had previously been presented with similar cases and issued its final verdict in favour of the players.

The Swiss lawyer explained that the prevalence of the same result among other players in other teams in the same place for the same reason indicates that there is something wrong with these results.

 

“It is impossible to accept the assumption that players of different nationalities and in different teams happen to take the same prohibited substance in the same place. Thus, the appearance of a prohibited substance in the samples of the players of different nationalities and teams may be due to the possibility of deliberate sabotage in the samples that were tested in the place that claimed the positive sample.”

The lawyer clarified that it is practically and logically impossible to imagine or accept that players participating in an international tournament would be using of their own will and knowledge of any prohibited substances or drugs because they are subject to random tests at any time.

Mohamed Talaat was subjected to many random sample tests in several European countries, all of them proved negative.

She pointed out that taking any prohibited substance interferes with the player’s ability to perform and achieve outstanding results, as taking any prohibited substance, regardless of its effect, whether stimulant or narcotic, inevitably affects a person’s capabilities, focus, psychological and muscular compatibility, and does not enable him to perform the sports activities that he participates in.

“These international competitions, especially if it is an equestrian sport require high concentration, physical and psychological compatibility, which cannot be available to those who use a prohibited substance. The performance and results of Mohamed Talaat are impossible to achieve by someone who took a prohibited substance.

On the other hand, Saudi-Arabia showjumping rider, Abdullah Al–Sharbatly confirmed that what was said about the Talaat joining the Egyptian equestrian team at the expense of another jockey is not true at all. Al-Sharbatly published on his official Facebook page many videos that show the results of the Mohamed Talaat in the last preparation tournaments before the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and show his clear superiority over his competitors.