Shane Rose: Jumper approved to compete in mankini

February 19, 2024, 08:13 GMT

Updated 35 minutes ago

image source, Getty Images

image description,

Shane Rose (center) won silver in the team competition with Australia at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo

Australian show jumper Shane Rose has been cleared to compete in a mankini following a review.

Equestrian Australia (EA) said the three-time Olympic champion had not breached its code of conduct.

“Shane has reflected on the incident and apologized,” said EA boss Darren Gocher.

“He understands the high standards expected of everyone involved in our high performance program.

“Now that the matter has been resolved, Shane and his teammates look forward to continuing to focus their attention on qualifying for the Paris Olympics.”

The competition encouraged dressing up, Rose also wore a gorilla costume and a Duffman outfit from The Simpsons. The review took into account the nature of the “community event”.

EA also understood that Rose had already issued a public apology, which he posted on social media and later deleted the post to defuse the issue.

He also took to social media to thank people for the support he received following the incident.

“I am pleased that Equestrian Australia’s review has been completed and I have been reinstated to continue my campaign for the Paris Olympics,” Rose said.

“The support and interest in this story was unlike anything I have experienced before.

“Now is the time to focus on the task ahead and try to get Australian equestrian sport into the media for a more positive reason, an Olympic gold medal.”

The umbrella organization's statement added that it would “work with clubs and stakeholders to establish minimum dress standards for future events” and review the “training models” for its high performance program.

A sponsor of the Wallaby Hill event has also pledged to give a mankini to all spectators at next year's edition and to donate A$100 to support men's health for every spectator who wears it.

Rose won silver in the team all-around at the 2008 and 2020 Olympics and bronze in 2016.