Brazilian Equestrian Confederation President Luiz Roberto Giugni warned that the equestrian events for next year's Olympics in Rio de Janeiro "might have to take place outside Brazil," according to Jenny Barchfield of the AP. Giugni blasted the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry for "delays in issuing the documentation" needed to allow horses brought into Brazil from Europe, the U.S. and Canada to enter and leave the country. Giugni: "If the problem is not resolved by the end of the month, we run the risk of not having the event in Brazil. We are running late." The Int'l Equestrian Federation (FEI) echoed Giugni's warning, saying in a statement that the Agricultural Ministry's failure to approve the veterinary certificate and protocol needed to bring horses in and out of Brazil "had derailed planning for the Games." The statement quotes FEI President Ingmar de Vos as saying, "The process ... has already taken a lot of time and is still not finished. This has an important impact as it delays planning and preparation of the horses that will take part in the Games" (AP, 10/8).
