The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld an appeal requesting enhanced sanctions against Olympic equestrian Christian Ahlmann.

The Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) Tribunal suspended and fined Ahlmann after his horse, Cöster, tested positive for capsaicin during the 2008 Olympics. Capsaicin is the ingredient that gives chili peppers their heat. It can make a horse’s skin ultra-sensitive and also has pain-relieving properties.

According to an April 2 statement, the FEI Tribunal originally suspended Ahlmann for four months. However, the German National Federation appealed this decision, asking for tougher sanctions. Ahlmann appealed the FEI decision to the CAS.

The CAS upheld the appeal from the German Equestrian Federation, resulting in Ahlmann receiving a total suspension of eight months, which began Aug. 21, 2008, and will conclude April 20. Ahlmann was also ordered to pay CHF 5,000 (Swiss francs, which converts to $4,403 USD) towards the legal costs of the German Equestrian Federation

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