Cian O'Connor (b. November 12, 1979, Dublin) is an Irish equestrian who won a show jumping gold medal at the 2004 Olympics which was later stripped from him due to drugs offences. Riding his horse Waterford Crystal he became an instant national hero, being the only Irish medalist that year. November 12 is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 49 days remaining. ... This page refers to the year 1979. ... Dublin (Irish: Baile Átha Cliath),is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Ireland, located near the midpoint of Irelands east coast, at the mouth of the River Liffey and at the centre of the Dublin region. ... Equestrianism relates to the riding of horses. ... Show jumping is a form of competition in which horses are jumped over a course of fences, low walls, and other obstacles (e. ... A gold medal will generally represent the highest award for achievement in a non-military field, with no restriction on eligibility. ... The Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, commonly known as the 2004 Summer Olympics were the 28th Summer Olympic Games. ...

However, on October 8, 2004 it emerged that Waterford Crystal had tested positive for a prohibited substance. Components of the 'B' sample were stolen, as were documents from the Irish Equestrian Federation offices. However, the B blood sample, which was not stolen, also tested positive for prohibited, but not performance enhancing, substances, which had been prescribed to the horse some time earlier. October 8 is the 281st day of the year (282nd in leap years). ... 2004(MMIV) is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) ruled that O'Connor must be stripped of his medal and he also received a three month ban from competition.

On June 10, 2005, O'Connor's solicitor filed an official waiver of appeal in the FEI which made the Judicial Committee’s decision of May 23 official. O'Connor lost his gold medal in favor of Brazilian showjumper Rodrigo Pessoa and the Irish Show Jumping Team was disqualified by the Olympic Board. Their seventh place was inherited by the Italians. June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... 2005(MMV) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... May 23 is the 143rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (144th in leap years). ...

See also

• Ireland at the 2004 Summer Olympics
• List of Irish sports people

Flag of Ireland Ireland at the 2004 Summer Olympics Irelands Olympic campaign for the 2004 games was dogged with controversy from the start, with the disqualification of Cathal Lombard for failing a drug test for the drug EPO. However, 106 individual athletes and 12 teams attended the games, covering... This is a list of famous Irish people. ...

External link

Cian O'Connor official website