Unlikely Olympic duel: Could face his wife

Sweden versus Switzerland, husband versus wife. The duel can await at the Olympic show jumping events in Versailles at the beginning of August. Henrik von Eckermann's wife Janika Sprunger is competing for a place in the Swiss Olympic team.

» Updated:

» Published:

Unlikely Olympic duel: Could face his wife
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

Share this article

Sweden against Switzerland, husband against wife.

The duel can wait until the Olympic show jumping events in Versailles at the beginning of August.

Henrik von Eckermann's wife Janika Sprunger is competing for a place in the Swiss Olympic team.

The competitions over the Midsummer weekend in Rotterdam – including team show jumping in the League of Nations and a GP show jumping event on the programme – are one of the few major competitions remaining before the Olympic teams are finalised.

Swedish riders in attendance are von Eckermann, Peder Fredricson, Malin Baryard Johnsson and Rolf-Göran Bengtsson.

So is a Swiss team.

She (Janika) is also going to Rotterdam. It's a bit of a fight about who will go with Martin Fuchs and Steve Guerdat, says von Eckermann to TT.

How would it be to meet Janika in the Olympics?

It would be fantastic, to ride there together.

When will Switzerland select its Olympic riders?

After Rotterdam, I think. That's what all teams do.

World number one von Eckermann broke his horse King Edward's long competition break after the success in the World Championship in Riyadh in April. The championship horse competed in a class with low obstacles in Opglabbeek, Belgium.

The serious Olympic preparation for King Edward begins competitively this week.

He has had a relatively long break and needs to get going. One competition is too little. In Rotterdam, I'm only doing the nations show jumping and then on Saturday and Sunday (next week in the Global Champions Tour) in Stockholm.

Then there's a new competition-free phase ahead of the Olympics for King Edward.

Do you see the last stage of the League of Nations in Rotterdam as an Olympic rehearsal for the team?

Absolutely. It will be the last thing we do with the most and the best we have. We want to make the final in Barcelona (3-6 October) and it fits well in time before the Olympics.

Venue: Versailles.

Schedule:

1 August: Qualification in the team event

2 August: Team final and medal ceremony.

5 August: Individual qualification.

6 August: Individual final and medal ceremony.

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Leidhammar's Goal Leads Norrköping to Victory Over Djurgården

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

Heintz Leads Göteborg to 2-1 Victory Over Häcken Despite Criticism

16-Year-Old Kevin Filling Secures AIK's Victory in Stockholm Derby

16-Year-Old Kevin Filling Secures AIK's Victory in Stockholm Derby

Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso Dies After Training Crash

Italian Skier Matteo Franzoso Dies After Training Crash

NHL Legend Ed Giacomin Passes Away at 86

NHL Legend Ed Giacomin Passes Away at 86

Duplantis Sets World Record and Wins Gold at Tokyo Championships

Duplantis Sets World Record and Wins Gold at Tokyo Championships

Duplantis Wins Twelve Gold Medals from Berlin to Tokyo

Duplantis Wins Twelve Gold Medals from Berlin to Tokyo

Sam Kendricks Praises Armand Duplantis' Pole Vault Record

Sam Kendricks Praises Armand Duplantis' Pole Vault Record

Armand Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

Armand Duplantis Sets 14th Pole Vault World Record

El Bakkali Loses World Championship Gold in Final Meters

El Bakkali Loses World Championship Gold in Final Meters

Swedes in Top Teams as Men's Champions League Kicks Off

Swedes in Top Teams as Men's Champions League Kicks Off

Pihlström Advances to 1,500m Final at World Championship in Tokyo

Pihlström Advances to 1,500m Final at World Championship in Tokyo

Armand Duplantis Wins Third World Championship Gold with New Record

Armand Duplantis Wins Third World Championship Gold with New Record

Thobias Montler Advances to World Championship Final Seeking Redemption

Thobias Montler Advances to World Championship Final Seeking Redemption

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Pro-Palestinian Protests Disrupt Tour of Spain Cycling Race

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal

Edlund Sets Personal Best to Reach World Championship Semifinal

Andreas Almgren Reflects on Dreamlike Day After World Championship Bronze

Andreas Almgren Reflects on Dreamlike Day After World Championship Bronze

Swedish Duo Seeks Redemption in Tokyo at Athletics World Championship

Swedish Duo Seeks Redemption in Tokyo at Athletics World Championship

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Be Recovered Despite Her Wishes

Laura Dahlmeier's Body to Be Recovered Despite Her Wishes

Convicted Pedophiles Found Coaching in Swedish Youth Sports Clubs

Convicted Pedophiles Found Coaching in Swedish Youth Sports Clubs