As is custom at theOlympics , the orbit at Tokyo ’s Equestrian Park is designed to evoke the spirit of the Games and meditate the refinement of the host nation . In this case , decorations around the jumping hurdles include a bell , bonsai , taiko drums , kimono , and more .
Among that “ and more ” is a life - size — and living - similar — statue of asumo wrestlerthat may or may not have dashed a few Olympic dreams .
The statue squats with outstretched arms next to the 10th of 14 obstacles in the sports stadium , his back turned towardhorseand passenger as they snipe a corner and gear up to approach the jump . Or , as UK passenger Harry Charlesdescribedit to theAssociated Press , “ As you amount around , you see a adult guy rope ’s ( butt ) . ”
funny , maybe , to the human competitors , but their equine counterpart did n’t seem to discover any humor in the situation . Charles , for one , witnessed “ four or five horses really taking a spook ” to the wrestler . During a pass round , more than one horse did n’t end up completing the 10th jump — a penalisation that aid ruin their rider ’ fortune of pass on to the outcome finals . Some intimate that the sumo wrestler ’s inflict ulterior and fire stance induce the horses to balk .
“ You recognise , horses do n’t desire to see a guy wire , like , looking intense next to a jump , see like he ’s ready to fight down you , ” Israel rider Teddy Vlock told theAssociated Press .
But the sumo wrestler was n’t the only mistrust perpetrator for the trouble at act 10 . Some masses proposed that the dazzling sparkle above or the cherry flush beside the obstruction had spook the horse , while others retrieve it could ’ve just been because the startle came straightaway after a shrill go .
All speculation apart , Olympian equestrians generally take these type of mishap in stride . “ To be honest , you carry it in the Olympic Games , ” UK ’s Scott Brash told theAssociated Press . “ If it was just plain old jump , it ’d be just like any other week . ”
[ h / tAssociated Press ]
