|
In an incident that went viral on social media Germany's Annika
Schleu was filmed whipping her horse Saint Boy after he refused
to jump during the modern pentathlon competition.
German coach and trainer Kim Raisner was also shown hitting the
horse.
The Modern Pentathlon federation (UIPM) quickly disqualified
Raisner from involvement in the men's event for her actions.
"The world was shocked when a visibly upset German pentathlon
competitor, Annika Schleu, was filmed spurring and whipping the
horse Saint Boy after he refused to enter the course," said PETA
in a letter to IOC president Thomas Bach.
"Schleu’s trainer, Kim Raisner, was then shown hitting the
horse. Raisner was rightfully expelled from the Olympics, but
fines and suspensions aren’t enough to protect other horses from
trainers who might commit similar offenses."
The IOC could not immediately be reached for comment.
PETA also noted two incidents in the equestrian eventing
competition.
In one Jet Set, a horse ridden by a Swiss competitor Robin Godel,
was injured so badly during a cross-country event that he had to
be euthanized while the another saw Irish rider Cian O’Connor
force his mount Kilkenny to finish the course despite blood
pouring from his nostrils.
"The Olympic Games showcase human athletes, not the ability to
terrify and injure horses who don’t choose to compete yet are
doing all the work, sometimes at the cost of their very lives,”
says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk.
"Just as the games have evolved to include modern sports like
skateboarding, PETA is calling on the International Olympic
Committee to relegate abusive equestrian events to the history
books."
(Reporting by Steve Keating in Toronto; Editing by Raissa
Kasolowsky)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |
|
