Charlotte Dujardin broke down in tears after winning bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. Dujardin, who is Britain’s joint-most decorated female Olympian, won’t get the chance to make that claim outright in Paris after announcing her withdrawal from this summer’s Games.

Dujardin was aiming to eclipse Laura Kenny in the French capital and become Team GB’s most decorated female Olympian, a title she previously held for a matters of days before Kenny’s haul in Tokyo. But she is now under investigation from the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) and confirmed she would “withdraw from all competition while this process takes place.”

It follows the emergence of a video that shows Dujardin “making an error of judgement”. As the investigation commences, the six-time medallist confirmed she would be withdrawing from the Games and any other competitions.

In a statement on her Instagram, 39-year-old said: “A video has emerged from four years ago which shows me making an error of judgement during a coaching session.

“Understandably, the International Federation for Equestrian Sports (FEI) is investigating and I have made the decision to withdraw from all competition – including the Paris Olympics – while this process takes place. What happened was completely out of character and does not reflect how I train my horses or coach my pupils. However, there is no excuse.

“I am deeply ashamed and should have set a better example in that moment. I am sincerely sorry for my actions and devastated that I have let everyone down, including Team GB, fans and sponsors.

“I will cooperate fully with the FEI, British Equestrian Federation and British Dressage during their investigations, and will not be commenting further until the process is complete.”

Dujardin won the most recent of her six Olympic medals at the delayed Games in Tokyo in 2021. She secured a bronze in the individual dressage competition after a tremendous performance alongside her horse, Gio.

Dujardin was left weeping at the result which was enough to confirm her place in the record books. The scale of her achievement left her feeling very emotional, as she revealed straight afterwards to the BBC.

She said: “I’m a bit speechless because there are so many incredible sports people, women that have achieved so much and now …I’ve done that and more. I mean, you only dream of these things happening and it’s actually happened so I can’t believe it.”