There is a very special individual event in the Olympic competition, "Modern Pentathlon". Runners are required to independently complete the five sports of equestrianism, fencing, shooting, running and swimming. Equestrian competitions require close cooperation between the player and his partner horse to achieve good results.
The Japanese runner who rolled over
Two modern pentathlons in the equestrian competition at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics drew the same horse, the Saint Boy, and both scored 0 points in the equestrian race because the Saint Boy refused to run. Among them, Germany's Annika Schleu, who was originally far ahead of the first place in fencing and swimming, cried in disappointment on the field because of the completely uncontrolled horses in the equestrian competition, from the original first place to 31st place.
Another bitter winner who lost points because of St. Boy was the 2017 world champion, Russia's Gulnaz Gubaydullina, who finished 32nd in East Austria. UiPM (International Modern Pentathlon Federation) said in a statement: "For two capable knights, Sler and Gubbidalina, the experience of riding a saint boy is not common in high-level modern pentathlons. UIPM has responsibilities to all participants in the race, including the Olympic Games and horses. ”
According to the Daily Mail, the horses in the equestrian competitions are officially provided and determined by lottery, and the runners have 20 minutes to familiarize themselves with the horses before the race. Shler's horse partner, the Saint Boy, has been reluctant to cooperate with her, and before leaving, he is very restless and reluctant to go in the direction that Shler has indicated. As a result, Shiller whipped the Saint Boy several times, and even Kim Raisner, a coach on the sideline, was witnessed punching and punching a horse on the sideline, causing controversy over the treatment of the horses.
After reviewing the video, the International Modern Pentathlon Federation (UIPM) committee found Lesner hitting Sler's horse St. Boy with his fist during a riding match at the women's modern pentathlon. She violated the rules of the International Modern Pentathlon Competition and announced the punishment for coach Lesner the day after the competition: a black card was issued to German coach Kim Lesner to disqualify her from the remaining competitions at the Tokyo Olympics.
For this incident, some people think that it is the problem of the horse, and some people think that it is the problem of the players themselves.
Samantha Murray, a British bronze medalist in modern pentathlon at the 2012 Olympics and also a world gold medal in 2014, said: "If you analyze it carefully, you will find that it is mainly the problem of the players. The athlete looked panicked, and when she got on the horse there was a lot of pressure, and the horses would feel the pressure. Because horses can't see the knight, they can only feel what you look like sitting on it. You need to be calm and you have to be very decisive when riding a horse to decide what to do. ”
Mellie said that confidence needs to be built between the horse and the runner, and the runner should actively give encouragement. But Stearer's approach on the pitch made the horse lose confidence in the process and stop.
The International Modern Pentathlon Federation states that the horses used in the competition are very good horses and that to ensure fairness, all the participating horses have successfully completed the set course. Because athletes have only 20 minutes to get acquainted with horses, the unpredictability is one of the striking features of modern pentathlon.
Some fear that the holy boy will be punished for this, or even euthanized. However, UIPM then posted the situation of the holy boy in his hometown of Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The owner of the horse said: "The saint boy is very healthy, but he is tired after the race. ”