It barely seems a few months since London 2012, but the countdown has already begun for the next Olympic Games in Rio.
One year
Exactly one year from today we’ll be watching the Opening Ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, with 12 thrilling days of equestrian sport to look forward to watching.
The equestrian events will be held at the Deodoro Olympic Park, one of the Games’ largest sites. As well as all things equestrian, the venues at Deodoro will also host the Olympic basketball, BMX, canoe slalom, fencing, hockey, modern pentathlon, mountain biking, rugby sevens and shooting.
Testing
The venue will play host to an eventing test event this week.
“The world’s biggest sporting event is now just a year away,” said Catrin Norinder FEI Director, Eventing & Olympic. “Our venue at Deodoro is absolutely stunning and we’re all set for this week’s test event, now that we’ve marked the one-year countdown to the Games. The road to Rio is now a major focus in our sport, with qualifying events ongoing around the world.”
Brits abroad
London was unforgettable for Great Britain’s equestrian athletes, with a team silver medal in eventing, team and individual gold in dressage and team gold in showjumping.
But our home Games is in the past and now all attentions are turned towards the next Olympics in Brazil.
Our prowess in eventing and dressage means we’ve safely qualified for next summer’s Games, but in showjumping things aren’t quite so certain.
Despite being the reigning European and Olympic gold medallists, and having the world number one in Scott Brash in our ranks, Britain’s showjumpers have not yet qualified for Rio. A strong performance at the European championships this month is essential if Britain is to have a chance to retain their Olympic team gold.
Rio
There may have been some worries in the run up to the London Olympics but in the end the Games were an extraordinary success. So can Rio do better?
“Staged in one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, the Games are going to be really spectacular,” said FEI President Ingmar De Vos said. “Rio will be making full use of its world-famous landmarks, just as London did, and equestrian sport will be rubbing shoulders with other exciting sports at Deodoro.”
But while equestrian events have been part of the Olympics for nearly 104 years, its future security is never guaranteed. Having horse sport as part of the Games is hugely important in terms of exposing our sport to the general public and encouraging new people to take up riding.
“We are experiencing massive growth in equestrian sport around the world, and Rio will be our perfect platform, putting equestrian in the limelight at the greatest sporting event on the planet,” Ingmar added.