The case involves a dispute during the 2004 Athens Olympics, brought before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ad hoc Division, concerning time penalties in the equestrian show jumping event. The appellants—the French, British, and United States National Olympic Committees (CNOSF, BOA, and USOC)—challenged a decision by the Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) Appeal Committee, which overturned a time penalty imposed on German rider Bettina Hoy by the Ground Jury. The penalty had initially affected medal standings, with Leslie Law of Great Britain winning individual gold and France securing team gold. The Appeal Committee’s reversal awarded Hoy the individual gold and Germany the team gold, altering the results. The appellants argued that the Appeal Committee lacked jurisdiction, as the Ground Jury’s decision was factual, not interpretive, and that due process was violated since affected parties were not notified of the appeal. The FEI and the German National Olympic Committee (NOCG) defended the Appeal Committee’s jurisdiction, claiming the issue involved rule interpretation.
The dispute centered on a timing discrepancy during Hoy’s performance. The stadium clock was reset after her second crossing of the start line, but the computerized timer continued from her first crossing, resulting in a 12.61-second overrun. The Ground Jury imposed a 13-second penalty, but the Appeal Committee ruled this unjust, citing a misinterpretation of timing rules. The CAS Panel examined whether the Appeal Committee had jurisdiction under FEI regulations, which permit appeals only for rule interpretation, not factual determinations. The Panel concluded that the Ground Jury’s decision was factual, making the Appeal Committee’s intervention invalid. Additionally, the lack of notification to affected parties breached due process. The Panel annulled the Appeal Committee’s decision, reinstating the original medal standings.
The case also addressed broader questions about the roles of the Ground Jury and the Appeals Committee under FEI regulations. The Ground Jury’s factual decisions, such as time penalties, are final and non-appealable under Article 163.6.1, while interpretive decisions can be appealed under Article 164.2. The CAS panel found that the Appeal Committee incorrectly assumed jurisdiction over a factual matter, rendering its decision void. The panel emphasized the importance of procedural fairness and the limited scope for appeals in sporting disputes. Ultimately, the ruling underscored the tension between strict rule application and competitive fairness, highlighting CAS’s role in resolving such conflicts while balancing regulatory adherence and equitable outcomes. The final decision reinstated the Ground Jury’s original ruling, concluding the matter without addressing alternative arguments or the merits of the penalty itself.