Senior London 2012 Equestrian Official Resigns after Access Row

Hugh Thomas, one of the most senior figures in global eventing, has resigned from the committee overseeing the London 2012 equestrian events following a row over public access to pre-Games horse inspections.

Thomas, event director of the Badminton horse trials and a designer of past Olympic courses, told Reuters the decision by organisers not to admit the public was “disgraceful”.

A spokeswoman for organisers LOCOG confirmed he was no longer involved as a technical official.

“We regret his decision to resign but we’ve accepted it,” she said, adding that there were operational reasons why the eventing inspections could not be ticketed.

Thomas said in an email that he had ensured at previous Games that inspections – popular with horse lovers and particularly so in Britain where the tickets for equestrian events have been snapped up – would be open to the public.

“I was horrified to hear from you…that LOCOG does not intend to admit any of the public to the eventing horse inspections,” he wrote.

“I truly think this is a disgraceful decision and it particularly upsets me since I, when course designer, technical delegate and then chairman of the FEI Eventing Committee, personally ensured at previous Games, despite the initial wishes of the organisers, that the great tradition within eventing that the inspections are open and transparent should be upheld.

“The public nature of the proceedings is the guarantee of integrity and for enthusiasts a fascinating and integral part of the competition,” added Thomas, who confirmed the contents of the email to Reuters.

“If this decision is irreversible, I do not wish to be even slightly involved as an official with an organisation that treats the public and indeed the traditions of our sport in this way.”

The inspections are due to take place on July 27, the day of the opening ceremony when the Olympic flame travels to the stadium in east London.