Paris-Aus makes double Olympic champion 'indescribably sad'
For the first time, double Olympic gold medalist Ingrid Klimke is set to compete in Dressage, but her dream is shattered just a few days before the Olympic Games in Paris. A injury to her horse Franziskus makes the journey to France impossible.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist will miss the Paris Games: Equestrian Ingrid Klimke will have to withdraw due to an injury to her 16-year-old horse Franziskus for the journey to France. This comes just a few days before the Summer Games, it would have been her sixth participation. In her place, Sönke Rothenberger with his ten-year-old stallion Fendi will take the place as a substitute rider.
"I am beyond sad and still can't believe it", writes Klimke on Instagram: "Franz had a few days of well-deserved rest after Aachen. When I wanted to train him normally again, I didn't have a good feeling." The horse was examined immediately, and "a injury was diagnosed that needed immediate treatment. Unfortunately, we have been ruled out for Paris as a result."
The successful and twice Olympic gold-decorated eventing rider Klimke had qualified for Paris for the first time in Dressage - she was to travel as a reserve rider with the team. Previously, she had participated in the Olympic Games in 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 in eventing and won twice gold and a silver team medal. She had also qualified for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, both in eventing and in Dressage. However, the competitions were then postponed due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and at the beginning of June 2021, Klimke sustained a severe injury to her chest, making participation impossible.
The German Olympic team consists of Tokyo champion Jessica von Bredow-Werndl with Dalera, seven-time Olympic champion Isabell Werth with Wendy, and Frederic Wandres with Bluetooth. In the three-person team, there is no drop score, every mark counts towards the result. If one of the three pairs drops out, the team leader can substitute the replacement rider within two hours before the start of the Grand Prix Special, in which the team medals are awarded.
Despite being a two-time Olympic gold medalist in equestrianism, Ingrid Klimke will be unable to compete in the Dressage event at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris due to an injury to her horse Franziskus. Sönke Rothenberger, with his ten-year-old stallion Fendi, will substitute for Klimke.
