Show Jumper Suspended for Forgery in Olympic Bid
A Belgian show jumper was fined 6,000 Swiss francs (€6,400) and suspended from the sport for three years after forging a Maltese passport and driving licence in an apparent failed bid to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
A Belgian show jumper, Michelle Dejonghe, has been fined 6,000 Swiss francs (€6,400) and handed a three-year suspension from equestrian sport after forging a Maltese passport and driving license in what appears to have been a failed attempt to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
In early 2023, Dejonghe successfully applied to the FEI (Fédération Equestre Internationale) to change her registered nationality from Belgian to Maltese.
Breach of Art. 164.11(c) “Criminal Acts” and 164.11(d) “Fraud of any kind” of the FEI GRs Falsification of FEI Documents and Official Maltese Documents
As part of the process, she provided the Malta Equestrian Federation (MEF) with scanned copies of what seemed to be a Maltese passport, driving license, and residence certificate. The MEF signed off on the application, unaware that the documents were fraudulent.
The situation unraveled in May when Belgian police contacted the FEI, inquiring about Dejonghe and presenting a letter—purportedly from the federation—stating that she was set to compete for Malta in Paris. However, the FEI confirmed it had never issued such a document. Instead, Dejonghe had manipulated an official FEI letter, extracting its letterhead, logo, and an employee’s signature from a nationality change approval.
A Web of Deception
The MEF, alerted by Belgian authorities, conducted further checks and confirmed that the documents Dejonghe submitted were forged.
Alongside her application, Dejonghe had provided promotional materials depicting what appeared to be a successful career. However, FEI records revealed that she had not competed in any of its events since first registering in 2019.
Unlike Belgium’s Royal Equestrian Federation (KBRSF), which selects its Olympic team, Maltese equestrian athletes must apply for Olympic qualification independently. However, any Maltese athlete competing in the Games must have official committee endorsement—something Dejonghe never had.
Investigation and Consequences
Following the discovery, the MEF reported Dejonghe to the police in Malta, forwarding its report to Belgian investigators.
By September, the FEI received confirmation from Malta that the passport and driving license she submitted were falsified. The authenticity of the residence certificate remained unclear at the time.
In its tribunal report, the FEI described the forged documents as “poor quality” and showing “clear signs of manipulation.” Disciplinary proceedings were launched later that month. When finally contacted, Dejonghe claimed her identity had been stolen as part of a fraudulent horse-selling scheme, but she provided no evidence to support this claim.
Delivering its verdict, the FEI stated that Dejonghe had wilfully and deliberately misled both the FEI and the MEF. The governing body condemned her actions as a “significant breach” of regulations, violating the fundamental values of the Olympic movement and fair play in equestrian sport.
“The offence involved clear elements of fraud and deceit. By using falsified documents, the respondent sought to mislead officials and secure personal benefit,” the FEI ruled.
Falsification of the FEI Document itself is considered as a Criminal Act according to article 251.1 of the Swiss Criminal Code– Forgery of a document:
“Any person who with a view to causing financial loss or damage to the rights of another or in order to obtain an unlawful advantage for himself or another, produces a false document, falsifies a genuine document, uses the genuine signature or mark of another to produce a false document, falsely certifies or causes to be falsely certified a fact of legal significance or, makes use of a false or falsified document in order to deceive, shall be liable to a custodial sentence not exceeding five years or to a monetary penalty.”
Alongside the fine and suspension, Dejonghe was ordered to cover the FEI’s legal costs of 1,500 CHF. The suspension bans her from participating in or attending any FEI-sanctioned events, even as a spectator.
MEF stated they will implement stricter document verification procedures moving forward to prevent similar incidents in the future.
