Society

Germany's modern pentathlon coach disqualified after punching horse at Tokyo Games

Aug 07 (Japan Times) - Germany’s modern pentathlon coach Kim Raisner will not be part of Saturday’s men’s individual competition at the Tokyo Olympics after she hit a horse with her fist and urged rider Annika Schleu to “really hit” the horse when it refused to jump.

The Modern Pentathlon federation (UIPM) said Raisner had been disqualified because of her actions during Friday’s show jumping.

Germany’s Olympic team chief Alfons Hoermann said earlier the coach had been pulled out of the men’s individual competition. He also demanded urgent rule changes from the international federation.

Schleu was holding down top spot with a commanding 24 second edge on the field going into the show jumping when each competitor randomly draws a horse.

There were signs of trouble ahead as Schleu’s horse Saint Boy bucked and misbehaved during the warmup and soon after was refusing jumps.

With each refusal Schleu’s frustration grew, the German finally exploding with a scream that echoed through the empty stadium as tears poured down her face.

Her coach urged her to hit the horse. Raisner’s orders to “really hit it, hit,” were heard live back in Germany, triggering a wave of criticism.

Raisner herself punched the horse once above the back leg.

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