"I don't want to push the horse, so unfortunately I have given up upon the dream of competing in the Rio Olympics," Hoketsu said. TOKYO (AP) " A 75-year-old Japanese equestrian rider will not be able to become the oldest competing Olympian of all time in Rio de Janeiro because of an illness to his horse. Hoketsu also qualified for the 1988 Seoul Olympics, but was unable to compete when his horse was quarantined. Hiroshi Hoketsu was unable to meet the criteria to join the qualifying trials for the Japanese team, Kyodo news agency reported. Hoketsu was aiming for his fourth Olympics after also appearing at the 2008 Beijing Games, where he finished ninth in team dressage and 35th in individual dressage.

Source: New Zealand Herald May 19, 2016 08:52 UTC