Patrik Kittel is arguably one of Sweden’s best equestrian athletes at the moment. The 45-year-old, who competes in the dressage discipline, carried an excellent run of form heading into the Tokyo Olympics 2020.

However, an injury to his horse at Tokyo has forced him to withdraw just days before the Games begin.

Swedish medal hope Kittel withdraws from Tokyo Olympics 2020 owing to his horse’s training injury

While a few events are already under way in Tokyo, the first inspection for the dressage category will take place tomorrow. However, Kittel will not make his fourth consecutive competitive appearance at the Games despite being at Tokyo.

During a training session in Tokyo, Kittel’s horse named ‘Well Done de la Roche CMF’ suffered an injury. The injury occurred due to him tripping during the session, which rules him out of the competition. Since Well Done cannot compete, Kittel has no choice but to withdraw from the Games.

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The Swedish rider wrote a note summing up his feelings due to this unfortunate circumstance. In the note, he admitted although he was disappointed, his horse’s health would always come first.

He wrote, “Well Done tripped in yesterday’s training; a small injury prevents us from competing in the Tokyo Olympics. I am broken to the core [but] Welly will always come first.

“I will now support my students and team friends, in the honour of representing Sweden.”

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Kittel won a bronze medal at the 2019 European Championships

During the course of his career, the 45-year-old won three bronze medals. One of those medals came quite recently at the 2019 European Championships, which he won with his current horse, ‘Well Done de la Roche’.

Although he didn’t win an Olympic medal in three appearances, his recent run of form put him in contention for a medal at the upcoming Games. If ‘Welly’ didn’t get injured, Kittel would make his first appearance with the horse at the Olympics.

Sweden’s travelling alternate Antonia Ramel will replace Kittel with her horse Brother de Jeu. The 36-year-old will join her sister Juliette on Buriel KH and Therese Nilshagen on Dante Weltino as part of Sweden’s dressage team at the Tokyo Olympics.

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