German coach thrown out of Tokyo Olympics after punching a horse

A German Olympic coach has been thrown out of the Tokyo 2020 Games after she was seen punching a horse during the women’s modern pentathlon show jumping yesterday, August 6.

German Olympic coach, Kim Raisner, has been thrown out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games after she was seen punching a horse during the women’s modern pentathlon show jumping yesterday, August 6.

Raisner was due to coach in the men’s event today but has been banished because of her outburst on the horse.

She was trying to help athlete Annika Schleu when her horse, Saint Boy, refused to jump and was misbehaving. Saint Boy has caused problems previously for the first athlete who attempted to guide him around the Tokyo Stadium.

In the modern pentathlon, the athletes are given a horse at random and only have 20 minutes to become accustomed to the animal before competing.

Many took to social media to call out the athlete and her coach for the harsh treatment of the horse. Raisner was caught on TV in Germany shouting at Schleu to “really hit it, hit it”.

Raisner then took a swing at Saint Boy and punched him in the back of the leg.

The governing body of modern pentathlon, the UIPM, said in a statement this morning: “The UIPM Executive Board (EB) has given a black card to the Germany team coach Kim Raisner, disqualifying her from the remainder of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

“The EB reviewed video footage that showed Ms Raisner appearing to strike the horse Saint Boy, ridden by Annika Schleu, with her fist during the riding discipline of the women’s modern pentathlon competition.

“Her actions were deemed to be in violation of the UIPM competition rules, which are applied to all recognised modern pentathlon competitions including the Olympic Games.

“The EB decision was made today at the Tokyo Stadium before the resumption of the men’s modern pentathlon competition.”

Germany’s Olympic team chief also said: “We were all in agreement that the coach will not be at the competition on Saturday.

“Rules must change in such a way so that rider and horse are protected.

“The focus must be on the welfare of the animals and the fair competition for athletes.”

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