TOKYO (AP) — A 75-year-old Japanese equestrian rider will not be able to become the oldest competing Olympian of all time in Rio de Janeiro because of an illness to his horse.
Hiroshi Hoketsu was unable to meet the criteria to join the qualifying trials for the Japanese team, Kyodo news agency reported.
"I don't want to push the horse, so unfortunately I have given up upon the dream of competing in the Rio Olympics," Hoketsu said. "There's nothing decided about the future. First I'd like to prioritize getting the horse well again."
Hoketsu, who made his Olympic debut in Tokyo in 1964 and at 71 was the oldest athlete to compete at the 2012 London Games, has been training in the Netherlands and Germany but hadn't been able to take part in competitions after his horse fell ill.