Home HomeSwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

World Number One Falls Off – Nightmare in Olympic Games Final

Henrik von Eckermann and King Edward misunderstood each other. The pair was on their way to a possible faultless final round when the horse took a completely wrong path. The Swedish gold hope was thrown out of the saddle. In terms of results, this is probably the worst that has happened, says the Swedish world number one.

» Updated: 08 August 2024, 07:13

» Published: 06 August 2024

World Number One Falls Off – Nightmare in Olympic Games Final
Photo: Pontus Lundahl/TT

With a tremble in his voice, Henrik von Eckermann tries to explain what happened on the Olympic Games show jumping course in Versailles when King Edward suddenly stopped at the two mascots indicating the start and he fell off.

I lose my rhythm and have to chase, I had so much forward momentum and it's something that makes him go a bit to the left and I lose my balance to the right. But then there are those entrances for the start and finish line, says the Swede.

Result-wise, this is probably the worst that has happened.

Von Eckermann looked shocked after the incident, but quickly got back on his feet and went over to his horse.

Henrik von Eckermann was beforehand one of the favorites to compete for the gold. Instead, he experienced one of the worst nightmares of his career.

No Revenge in 2028

And there will be no revenge with King Edward in Los Angeles 2028. When asked if it was the last day together, von Eckermann replies:

It was definitely.

The German Christian Kukuk, the Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten, and the Swiss Steve Guerdat were the only three faultless riders who competed for the medals in the jump-off.

Kukuk, on the horse Checker 47, won after a new faultless round. Guerdat took the silver together with Dynamix de Belheme, after four faults. He was 34 hundredths of a second faster than van der Vleuten, who with Beuville Z also had four faults and thus got the bronze.

The course designer's design when it came to the triple combination was extremely complicated. The obstacle series was only just over 30 meters long, with two initial oxers and a final single obstacle.

It doesn't get much harder, but no one has claimed that an Olympic Games final should be easy.

The World Number Two Also Out

The triple combination was supposed to represent Metron, the Paris subway. Many riders didn't find the right line or simply missed the train.

But difficulties lurked here and there.

The world number two Ben Maher, the Brit who in Tokyo snatched the individual gold from Peder Fredricson, got an early elimination and was out.

He was not alone in that. One by one, top riders like Laura Kraut, Simon Delestre, and Max Kühner disappeared.

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

More news

Mbappé not selected for French national team
1 MIN READ

Mbappé not selected for French national team

Clear: Dream Group for Sweden in Nations League
1 MIN READ

Clear: Dream Group for Sweden in Nations League

Norwegian Olympic canoeist becomes World Championship swimmer
1 MIN READ

Norwegian Olympic canoeist becomes World Championship swimmer

Furious over Palestine banner at PSG match
1 MIN READ

Furious over Palestine banner at PSG match

The new venture a challenge: "I said no"
3 MIN READ

The new venture a challenge: "I said no"

Bayern Munich fan silent in the stands
1 MIN READ

Bayern Munich fan silent in the stands

Sprint star moves to Italy
1 MIN READ

Sprint star moves to Italy

Northug: Dreams of the podium in Vasaloppet
2 MIN READ

Northug: Dreams of the podium in Vasaloppet

Star Durant sank Larsson's Miami
1 MIN READ

Star Durant sank Larsson's Miami

From unknown to national team: "Cool thing"
3 MIN READ

From unknown to national team: "Cool thing"

NHL star McDavid back after injury
2 MIN READ

NHL star McDavid back after injury

After the Ridicule – Viral "Raygun" Gives Up
2 MIN READ

After the Ridicule – Viral "Raygun" Gives Up

CL success for the Swede: zero intact
2 MIN READ

CL success for the Swede: zero intact

Dark Night Start for Apelgren: "Damn, That's Awful"
2 MIN READ

Dark Night Start for Apelgren: "Damn, That's Awful"

Mings' brain fade - Club Brugge won on penalties
1 MIN READ

Mings' brain fade - Club Brugge won on penalties

No Breakthrough – Women's Crown Fell to Czech Republic
2 MIN READ

No Breakthrough – Women's Crown Fell to Czech Republic

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe
2 MIN READ

Malmö fell in Istanbul – third defeat in Europe

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf
1 MIN READ

McIlroy: Trump may be able to unite golf

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One
2 MIN READ

Källberg's Giant Upset – Crushed the World Number One

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one
1 MIN READ

Källberg's giant upset – crushed the world number one