The IOC Executive Board met before the 114^th IOC Session in Mexico City to discuss IOC Programme Commission proposals on Olympic disciplines and events. The Board accepted the proposal made by the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) to change the Eventing format for the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. However, the Executive Board did not make a decision on the future of Eventing for Beijing 2008 and thereafter. The Board will now discuss Eventing when it meets in Lausanne next February

"It is disappointing not to have Eventing’s on-going position in the Olympics confirmed, but I am hopeful that, despite the delay, there will be a positive outcome for the sport," the President of the Equestrian Federation of Australia, Mr. Russ Withers, commented. "It is a positive decision for Athens, with the new Olympic format to be the same as the new Eventing World Cup, which will commence in 2003."

The FEI has proposed significant changes in the Eventing competition for the Olympic Games. The new CIC, or International One Day format, shortens the cross-country course and removes the two "roads and tracks" phases and the steeplechase from the cross-country day. It retains a Dressage test, a Cross-Country test and a Jumping test, with the top 25 riders and horses progressing to a second Jumping test to decide the Individual medals.

There is an expectation that the change of the Olympic competition format will lead to a review of training methods and selection procedures, particularly for Olympic Games. The Federation also anticipates a further increase in the number of events running under the new format.