Australian Olympic equestrian avoids sanction after ‘mankini’ ride

Australian equestrian Shane Rose escaped punishment on Monday for wearing a “mankini” during a showjumping competition, allowing him to resume preparations for this summer’s Paris Olympics.

The three-time Olympic medallist slipped into the fluorescent orange outfit — popularised in the movie “Borat” — during an event at Wallaby Hill near Sydney last weekend where riders were encouraged to wear fancy dress.

It sparked a complaint to Equestrian Australia, but the governing body opted not to sanction the 50-year-old after a groundswell of public support for the rider.

“The Equestrian Australia Review Panel met on Monday and found that Mr. Rose did not breach the code of conduct,” EA said in a statement.

“The panel took into account the community event that Mr. Rose was competing at and that Mr. Rose had already made a public apology.”

It added that it would work with stakeholders to “assess minimum dress standards for future events”.

Rose said on Sunday he was “truly sorry if I have offended anyone” after being stood down by EA while it conducted the review.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald after Monday’s verdict he was happy he could again focus on his Olympic preparations.

“It’s a great relief to get it to happen and prepare for Paris as best I can,” said Rose, who also posted an offer of free mankinis on his Facebook page.

The Wallaby Hill organiser backed the move, saying: “Let’s get behind the people in this world who make it a better place… after all, laughter is the best medicine.”

A key sponsor of the event vowed to donate Aus$100 (US$65) to a men’s health charity for each person who wears one of the skimpy swimsuits next time.

But asked if he would consider wearing a mankini next year, Rose replied: “I think I might just take a back seat and let people go their hardest.”

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(NAMPA / AFP)