Monday, August 2, 2021

Medal Alert: Eventer McEwen revels in double-medal day

Tom McEwen banked not one, but two medals in one day after adding individual silver to his eventing team gold on Olympic debut.


McEwen joined forces with world number one Oliver Townend and Laura Collett to win Team GB's first eventing team gold since 1972 earlier in the day.


The trio were all in contention for individual

honours just two hours later, with Townend and McEwen occupying second and third respectively heading into the final jumping round.


Collett looked set for a clear round before bringing down the last two fences, dropping out of medal contention and into ninth having entered the final event in fifth place.


Clear rounds were in short supply but when McEwen and Toledo de Kerser were flawless, they guaranteed a podium place, moving into silver when Townend made one fault and finished just outside the medals in fifth.


That meant the pressure was on Germany's Julia Krajewski, the last rider into the arena, but she produced a brilliant and nerveless clear ride to take gold, with McEwen's silver far from a consolation prize.


McEwen, 30, from Minchinhampton, said: "It's not really hit me yet, it's been a super special experience. To get the gold with a record score has been phenomenal.


"In the last few years I've messed up in many a place where I probably shouldn't have done but he's been a very special partner.


"I loved the pressure this week, I've loved being in this team and we've had to perform. To get that team gold after 49 years is really special.


"We are new to this experience, we've all just embraced the pressure and we've got three amazing horses.


"They deal with a lot more pressure than I ever would, they keep calm and relaxed at all points, so I followed in their steps."

No comments:

Post a Comment

Popular Articles