Aussie legend denied shot at ninth Olympics

Aussie legend denied shot at ninth Olympics

Selectors have denied Australian equestrian legend Andrew Hoy in his bid to compete at a record-extending ninth Olympic Games in Paris.

The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) is not expected to announce the equestrian team until Thursday, but The Age reported on Tuesday that the 65-year-old had been snubbed, which Wide World of Sports has since confirmed with an informed source.

Hoy, an eight-time Olympian who made his Games debut in Los Angeles in 1984, has made more Olympic appearances than any other Australian.

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If he had been selected for Paris 2024, it would have put him just one Olympic appearance short of the world record, held by Canadian equestrian great Ian Millar.

An Australian eventing team of Andrew Hoy, Matt Ryan, Phillip Dutton and Stuart Tinney celebrate winning gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.

An Australian eventing team consisting of (from left) Andrew Hoy, Matt Ryan, Phillip Dutton and Stuart Tinney celebrate winning gold at the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Ross Kinnaird

Hoy told Wide World of Sports early this year that he was open to competing at the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Games.

The equestrian icon from Culcairn, a small NSW town situated between Albury and Wagga Wagga, competed at the LA 1984, Seoul 1988, Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000, Athens 2004, London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Games.

He owns six Olympic medals including three golds, having been a member of Australia’s triumphant eventing teams in 1992, 1996 and 2000.

Hoy was Australia’s flag-bearer at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

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