Eight-times Olympian Andrew Hoy feels the sting of rejection – at last
Australian Olympic legend Andrew Hoy will miss out on Paris selection.
Andrew Hoy of Australia riding Vassily De Lassis after winning the bronze medal during the Equestrian events of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Baji Koen Equestrian Park in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan, 02 August 2021. EPA/KIYOSHI OTA
The three-time equestrian gold medallist, the team flag bearer for the 1996 Atlanta Games opening ceremony, is the only Australian to have competed at eight Olympics.
Three Olympians have been to nine Games and Canadian equestrian rider Ian Millar is the sole 10-time competitor.
Australia’s equestrian team for Paris will be announced on Thursday and it is understood Hoy, 65, will not feature.
Nine newspapers reported Hoy’s non-selection on Tuesday night and the Australian Olympic Committee would not comment.
Hoy made his Games debut at Los Angeles in 1984 and the only Olympics he has missed since was Rio in 2016.
At 62, his silver and bronze at the Tokyo Games made him Australia’s oldest Olympic medallist.
Hoy’s three gold medals were in the team eventing at the 1992, ’96 and 2000 Games.
He has also won two silver and a bronze – the only Australian men to have won more Olympic medals are swimming greats Ian Thorpe (nine) and Grant Hackett (seven).
Fellow equestrian competitor Mary Hanna became Australia’s oldest Olympian when she rode at the Tokyo Games, aged 66.
