'We must use data to allay everyone's fears'

World chief Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein called on her federation to enlighten Olympic riders - and the world - with the 'most sophisticated and in-depth technical information' produced for an equestrian event.

Princess Haya, the president of the World Equestrian Federation (FEI), said they had been 'slightly remiss' in their communication about the heat and humidity that riders and horses will face in the events to be staged in Hong Kong.

'The FEI must ensure the message reaches the athletes, the [horse's] owners and connections, and beyond, to the regular followers of horse sport and the wider public,' Princess Haya said at a workshop in Switzerland.

'Probably, we've been slightly remiss in communication.

'It would be nice to touch each and every athlete to allay their fears. Each athlete has their own concerns because of the specific needs of an individual horse.'

The workshop - featuring the FEI, the Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Equestrian Company - helped allay fears about the conditions at Sha Tin and Beas River. Though the workshop had been planned since late last year, it was not before time, given all the attention sparked by the Swiss pullout.

But Princess Haya stressed: 'The research isn't new [and] therefore there is no set time to present it.'