Andrew Hoy is Australia’s oldest Olympic medalist at 62 after equestrian silver

Eight-time Olympian Andrew Hoy has become Australia’s oldest Olympic medallist, winning a Tokyo 2020 silver medal as part of the equestrian eventing team on Monday.

The 62-year-old Hoy, plus teammates Shane Rose and Kevin McNab, finished second behind Great Britain in the equestrian team eventing discipline. The French team were narrowly behind in third.

Then just a couple of hours later, Hoy doubled his Tokyo 2020 tally with an individual bronze medal in the eventing jumping final. It takes Hoy’s overall Olympic medal tally to six: three gold, two silver and one bronze.

“It is very, very special,” said Hoy afterwards. “We don’t come to these championships, especially Olympic Games, to finish in fourth, fifth or sixth. We only come to get a medal and look, it’s been a complete team effort.

“I’ve got a fantastic horse,” Hoy added. “I know I’ve been to [eight] Olympics, but I’ve done it with fantastic horses and Vassily de Lassos is one of the world’s greatest horses.”

Hoy first competed at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. He won gold at the 1992 Games in Barcelona in the team eventing, before defended his crown at the 1996 and 2000 Olympics. Hoy also added an individual eventing silver medal at the Sydney Games. He competed again in 2004 and 2012 – making Hoy Australia’s most enduring Olympian.

Hoy takes the Australian age-record off a fellow equestrian athlete, Bill Roycroft, who won bronze in the same discipline aged 61 at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.

The Australian eventing team at Tokyo 2020 faced a late set-back when they were forced to replace Stuart Tinney, riding Leporis, following advice from team veterinarians. McNab, riding Don Quidam, came into the team.

“Speechless, absolutely amazing,” said McNab after winning silver despite the late call-up. “They’re a fantastic team. I was really surprised, and at the same time, I felt for Stuart, which is quite difficult. He left big shoes to fill, and I’ve tried to do my bit. So there was a bit of pressure there to try and step up there to do his job.”