Australian showjumper and Olympic hopeful Jamie Kermond has been provisionally suspended from competition for testing positive for cocaine.
Kermond, 36, had been named on the Australian equestrian team and was due to make his first Olympics appearance in Tokyo.
Equestrian Australia released a statement saying Kermond had returned a positive A-sample for a metabolite of cocaine following a test conducted by Sport Integrity Australia on June 26.
Cocaine is prohibited under Australian and world anti-doping laws.
Under Australia's anti-doping policy, Kermond can now have his B-sample analysed.
Kermond, who won Australia's national showjumping championships in 2016, competes on the lucrative European circuit and was one of three showjumpers in Australia's nine-member equestrian team.
His suspension is a blow to the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) just two days out from the opening ceremony.
The Australian Olympic Team Selection Committee officially terminated his membership for the Tokyo Games on Wednesday afternoon.
Equestrian Australia said it had spoken with Kermond and was offering him support.
ABC/AAP
