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Tokyo 2020: German coach kicked out of Olympics for punching horse

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Tokyo 2020: German coach kicked out of Olympics for punching horse



A German modern pentathlon coach, Kim Raisner, was on Friday sent home from the Tokyo Olympics after she punched the competition horse, Saint Boy, during the riding contest.

UK Metro reported that the horse rider, Annika Schleu, was struggling to control the horse during the showjumping round of the women’s modern pentathlon, with Raisner trying to help her get the rattled nag under her spell.

The disgruntled coach went too far by striking the beast, which ultimately led to her disqualification from the Games.

The organisers expressed concerns that hitting the horse was not only reprehensible but clearly did no good as Schleu could not get Saint Boy to cooperate and rode around the arena in tears as the animal refused to do any of the showjumping that the Germans were looking for.

Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne (UIPM), the governing body for modern pentathlon, released a statement confirming Raisner’s punishment.

The statement read in part: ‘The UIPM Executive Board (EB) has given a black card to the Germany team coach Kim Raisner, disqualifying her from the remainder of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

‘The EB reviewed video footage that showed Ms Raisner appearing to strike the horse Saint Boy, ridden by Annika Schleu, with her fist during the riding discipline of the women’s modern pentathlon competition.

‘Her actions were deemed to be in violation of the UIPM competition rules, which are applied to all recognised modern pentathlon competitions including the Olympic Games. The EB decision was made today at the Tokyo Stadium before the resumption of the men’s modern pentathlon competition.’

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