Hannah, a 66-year-old equestrian grandmother, will see you in Paris as long as her body doesn't collapse

City Express News Mary Hannah, the 66-year-old Australian grandmother, does not serve the old.

Because of the low ranking in the individual qualification, the equestrian grandmother did not make it to the final of the equestrian dressage at the Tokyo Olympics. But she never gave up, "Unless I'm really physically broken, my goal is definitely to go to Paris (2024 Olympics)." ”

In front of reporters, her first words were: "I never wanted to be the oldest Olympian, in fact, in equestrian sports, no one mentions my age at all." ”

Horses are the love of a lifetime

Hannah, 66, is once again on the Olympic stage. At the Rio Olympics five years ago, she had become the oldest olympic athlete in Australian history.

Hannah and her husband Rob now run the Staten Park stables in Beraryn, Victoria, Australia, where they train riders and trade dressage horses.

In Hannah's autobiography, The Long River, she also describes how she rescued her horse from a forest fire. When it comes to the love of horses, Hannah can't lose to anyone.

In October 2019, Hannah's daughter Kit suffered a serious head injury in a horse riding accident, and Hannah, who was in Europe, had to return to Australia to care for her daughter. Even so, Hannah did not return to Australia alone, but took her horse back with her and continued to receive instruction from Swedish equestrian Patrick Kittel through online video.

Speaking about her choice, Hannah said: "I continued my preparations for the Olympics at home, and I did. ”

His 1996 Olympic debut was the most memorable

Hannah hadn't thought about doing something else, after all, after so many years in the equestrian industry, it was time to rest.

She tried other sports, such as pentathlon and sailing, but after a while, she chose to return to her favorite racecourse: "I always end up back on horseback riding, it's something I really love and I do my best to stay at the racecourse." ”

Becoming Australia's oldest Ever Olympic Athlete, or even the oldest at the Tokyo Olympics, is no big deal for Hannah.

Hannah told the media: "I never consider my age, no matter how old or young, there is no difference, if you are healthy, you can stick to it." ”

The Tokyo Olympics is already Hannah's sixth Olympic participation, and she has also become the first Australian athlete to participate in six Olympic games. Of the six Olympic Games, Hannah was most impressed by the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, the first olympic games hannah participated in. "Everything was new to me, I didn't have any pressure and I didn't have any expectations. Me and my Mamousacco just performed on this glorious occasion. ”

The goal is the 2024 Paris Olympics

According to statistics, Hannah is currently the second oldest female athlete in Olympic history. Britain's Lorna Johnstone competed in the 1972 Olympics at the age of 70, becoming the oldest female athlete in Olympic history.

Johnstone is also an equestrian.

Hannah still has the opportunity and the willingness to break Johnstone's record. She said she plans to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics as long as her health allows. "It's only been 3 years since the Paris Olympics. Unless my body really collapsed, my goal was definitely Paris. ”