Leslie Law was in such a state of shock at learning he had become Britain's
first eventing gold medallist since 1972 that he pulled out of a competition in
Solihull through lack of concentration.
Having returned to Britain on Thursday, the 39-year-old from Hereford was just
about to start his second show-jumping round when he was given the dramatic
news.
And though he managed to get through that part of the competition, he opted
not to take part in the cross-country phase.
"My concentration level was zero," he said.
"It just wasn't worth it.
"I managed to block the whole thing out quite easily over the last 72 hours
but once the news came through that was it.
"It is fantastic for British eventing, not just the riders, but the grooms,
the farriers and everyone else involved.
"The whole team deserves the utmost congratulations for what has been
achieved. We ended up with three of the six available medals, which is a
fantastic achievement."
Law was informed of the decision by British team manager Yogi Breisner just 45
minutes before the Court of Arbitration for Sport officially delivered their
verdict on Bettina Hoy's controversial false start in the second of her three
show-jumping rounds on Wednesday.
CAS ruled that equestrian's governing body, the FEI, had no power to overturn
the ground jury's initial decision to impose a 14-point time penalty on Hoy for
a mistake which the kind of novices Law found himself opposing on Saturday are told
not to make.
BOA lawyer Sarah Friend, who led a joint case on behalf of the British, French
and American teams, said the issue was "black and white".
"It was a non-decision - and CAS agreed," she said.
The result, which under CAS regulations is binding on all parties, will be a
devastating blow to Gloucestershire-based Hoy, who left Friday's
two-and-a-half-hour hearing in tears.
After starting the day with two gold medals, she will now leave Athens
completely empty-handed.
Now though, Law can await delivery of a gold medal, only the second Briton to
achieve such an achievement in an individual event after Richard Meade in
Munich, and also a team silver, along with Pippa Funnell, William Fox Pitt,
Jeanette Brakewell and Mary King.
Funnell will also get an individual bronze after being upgraded from fourth
spot.
With all the riders having returned home, there is no scope for a formal medal
ceremony in Greece, and British chef de mission Simon Clegg confirmed the plan was now to
hold a presentation in the United Kingdom at a more convenient time.
The result will have massive implications for Law's career, which has
previously been overshadowed by that of his illustrious colleagues Funnell and
Fox-Pitt.
Fox-Pitt had been in sixth spot after the cross-country phase but was forced
to pull out when his horse Tamarillo suffered a knee injury.
"Everyone from the eventing team is absolutely delighted," said equestrian
team leader William Connell after the CAS verdict.
"It is a vindication of what we knew on the night was the right decision.
"It is a shame that we had to go to CAS but this wasn't about winning medals
through the back door.
"It is about the integrity of our sport, doing what is best for our athletes
and ensuring fair play.
"We have a lot of sympathy for Bettina Hoy but she made a mistake that all
riders are told not to make from an early age.
"This is the Olympics and rules have to be adhered to.
"We firmly believe the British team deserve the silver medal in the team
event and after spending so long seeing Pippa and William get all the headlines,
Leslie now has something fabulous to celebrate."
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