2004 Olympic Games - Eventing

France Wins Team Gold After Protesting Hoy's False Start

by Astrid Appels

Huge drama in the Markopoulou Equestrian Centre as it has just been announced in a press conference that not Germany, but France has won the team gold in eventing. Judges and officials have agreed with the French protest that Bettina Hoy made a false start, crossing the start line twice in her stadium jumping ride.

The judges have agreed to give Hoy 12 time penalty points. This result has completely reshuffled the team ranking. France now wins team gold with 140.40 points, Great Britain silver with 143.00 points, U.S.A. bronze with 145.60 points and Germany finishes in fourth place with 145.80 points.

One does not need imagination that Germany has immediately filed an official complaint and is protesting this result.

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