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25th July 2024
11:31am BST
The fiancé of Charlotte Dujardin has spoken out about the controversial footage that led to his partner pulling out of this year's Olympics in Paris.
Dean Wyatt-Golding, a former swimmer who has competed in several Olympics in his respective sport, pointed towards his soon-to-be-wife's formal statement following the debacle.
Dujardin was considered to be one of Team GB's strongest hopes for a gold medal going into this summer's event, and is the country's joint-most decorated female Olympian ever.
Now, the 39-year-old finds herself under investigation from the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and the British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage.
The much-talked-about footage – which was aired for the first time on ITV’s Good Morning Britain this morning – shows the six-time dressage medallist repeatedly whipping a horse across its legs during a coaching session.
Shortly after the video began circulating online, Dujardin announced her withdrawal from the competition, saying: "What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils, however there is no excuse.
"I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment."
She added that her actions were "filmed four years ago" and that she is "devastated to have let everyone down."
According to the Daily Mail, Golding spoke to the media outside the couple's home in Gloucestershire yesterday.
He said: "I can't say anything beyond Charlotte's statement. All we can do is wait and see what happens."
Responding to questions about how the video might have been shared, Mr Golding added: "No, we have no idea.
"Charlotte is obviously cooperating with the equestrian authorities for now."
Golding proposed to Dujardin after her gold medal win at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and the couple share a one-year-old daughter, Isabella.
