SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Kittel: "Tokyo was a very dark cloud"

There were only days left until the Olympic Games premiere in Tokyo. Then Well Done got injured – and Patrik Kittel's planned fourth Olympic Games were over before they even started. Three years later, the dressage rider can put the trauma behind him.

» Updated: 30 July 2024, 18:38

» Published: 30 July 2024

Kittel: "Tokyo was a very dark cloud"
Photo: Mosa'ab Elshamy/AP/TT

Relief is probably the word that best describes his feelings after his and Touchdown's visit to the arena in Versailles castle park.

They say it's just about forgetting and moving on, but it's not just about forgetting and moving on.

Of course, Tokyo was a very dark cloud. Now I can really say that I've ridden my fourth OS. My goal every time I ride a championship is to make myself, my horse, and my country proud, he says.

That's not how it was in Tokyo. That's how it is now.

Ready for the final

Kittel's 74,317 percent was more than enough to qualify for another visit to the arena on Sunday. There, he is one of 18 riders competing for medals in the individual OS final.

The goal was to qualify for the final, and I've done that. I'm very proud of how Touchdown fought for me. It's not easy to go straight in and ride through. You have to be on top, the horse has to be on top. And it's different conditions than you're used to, says Kittel.

The pair had a few minor mistakes here and there and didn't have the right spark. The explanation? Touchdown got nervous.

Went to the toilet

It's nature, and I can't change that. When he went to the toilet after the last increase, we had our best piaffer, which we normally don't have.

Next, it's about achieving a strong placement in the team final, which takes place on Saturday. If Therese Nilshagen and Dante don't encounter any major mishaps on Wednesday, Sweden will easily make it.

And then everything is at stake in the freestyle program the following day.

It's an honor to get to ride kür on Sunday. It's not easy. There are 60 starters, 18 go on, and the competition is razor-sharp, says Patrik Kittel.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

"Amorim: We're building a new club"
2 MIN READ

"Amorim: We're building a new club"

The return match in the top-tier league qualifying is moved
1 MIN READ

The return match in the top-tier league qualifying is moved

He takes over the world's toughest football job
3 MIN READ

He takes over the world's toughest football job

Oscar Wendt Ends His Career
1 MIN READ

Oscar Wendt Ends His Career

Appealed too late – must pay 630 million
1 MIN READ

Appealed too late – must pay 630 million

Finland's national team captain is fired
1 MIN READ

Finland's national team captain is fired

The Club Avoids Bankruptcy – But the Crisis Is Not Over
1 MIN READ

The Club Avoids Bankruptcy – But the Crisis Is Not Over

F1 star's nightmare – wrong rear wing
1 MIN READ

F1 star's nightmare – wrong rear wing

Sundling's Premier Crush: "I'm Grateful"
2 MIN READ

Sundling's Premier Crush: "I'm Grateful"

Young star won – injury stopped Halfvarsson
2 MIN READ

Young star won – injury stopped Halfvarsson

Hammarby investigated after coin throwing
1 MIN READ

Hammarby investigated after coin throwing

Swedish Premier League defender operated
1 MIN READ

Swedish Premier League defender operated

Zlatan loses notorious lawsuit – forced to pay
2 MIN READ

Zlatan loses notorious lawsuit – forced to pay

Denmark's Former Prime Minister Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Wants Saudi World Championship
1 MIN READ

Denmark's Former Prime Minister Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt Wants Saudi World Championship

Jonna Sundling superior in qualifying: "Like Bambi"
1 MIN READ

Jonna Sundling superior in qualifying: "Like Bambi"

The Message: Alexander Ovechkin Out for at Least a Month
1 MIN READ

The Message: Alexander Ovechkin Out for at Least a Month

Truls Möregårdh lost to the world number one: "Not fun"
2 MIN READ

Truls Möregårdh lost to the world number one: "Not fun"

Netflix Sued Over Issues During Boxing Match
1 MIN READ

Netflix Sued Over Issues During Boxing Match

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show
4 MIN READ

Reluctant Poster Girl in Donald Duck and Talk Show

Swedish show in NHL – goal fest for Bratt and Wennberg
2 MIN READ

Swedish show in NHL – goal fest for Bratt and Wennberg