LEADING French Olympic hopeful Tom Carlile has been forced to withdraw from the Tokyo Olympic Games with Birmane. The 10-year-old mare suffered from myositis, or tying up, after work on the gallops in Tokyo.

The pair will be replaced by Karim Laghouag with Triton Fontaine and the 2016 Olympic champions will not have an alternate to substitute during the competition.

Writing on social media, Carlile said: “It is with a heavy heart that I see myself announced my mare will be removed from this Olympic deadline. It was following the galloping work done earlier this week that Burma suffered from myositis.

“It is not without secret that she suffered from this muscle pathology from the past. Nevertheless it had been more than two seasons since [it happened]. With my whole team, we managed it to perfection for this Olympic deadline. Seeing this dream escape from our fingertips, we feel inconsolable.

“We had been warned that weather conditions would be formidable. Despite all the measures taken by the organisers, my mare can't acclimate to these conditions. She will come home healthy once her buddies pass their games. And we hope to see her soon at the top of the podiums.”

Colman out due to Covid

Also ruled out of the Games is show jumper Samy Colman who was due to represent Morocco. He has tested positive for Covid-19 and cannot travel to Tokyo.

In a statement on social media he said: "It is not without emotions that I announce you today that I will unfortunately not be on the trip for the Tokyo Olympic Games... I tested positive to Covid a few days ago and although I am in great shape, I will not be able to go to Japan in due time.

"I don't hide my bitterness, so much the desire to make you dream was great. It's a difficult news to accept, but I keep smiling and I'm already looking forward to the future. After a fall, one must always know how to get back up. We will do everything to come back stronger than ever. "