August 27, 2004 – Athens, Greece – Ian Millar of Perth, ON, ended his eighth Olympic bid in Athens, Greece, with completion of the Individual Final for Show Jumping on Friday, August 27.
One of the most prolific athletes in Canadian sport history, Millar, 57, was among the top 45 horse-rider combinations to advance to the Individual Final following three rounds of qualifying competition. In the first of two rounds of jumping in the Individual Final, Millar incurred eight faults riding Promise Me, a 10-year-old Dutch Warmblood gelding owned by The Bakers Dozen. His performance tied him for 12th place, placing him among the Top 25 athletes who advanced to the second round where Millar incurred 20 jumping and two time faults to end his eighth Olympic bid in 24th place.
Millar made his Olympic debut at the 1972 Munich Games at the age of 25 and has been named to every Canadian Olympic Team since, only missing the opportunity to compete in 1980 when Canada was among the nations that boycotted the Olympic Games in Moscow.
Cian O’Connor, 24, of Ireland earned the Individual Gold Medal with a total of four faults riding Waterford Crystal. In a dramatic jump-off for the Individual Silver Medal, Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil and Baloubet du Rouet prevailed over Chris Kappler of the United States riding Royal Kalibur, who earned the Individual Bronze Medal. In total, 77 athletes representing 27 nations contested the show jumping events at the Markopoulo Olympic Equestrian Center.
For complete results from the equestrian competition at the 2004 Olympic Games, please visit www.athens2004.com.
PHOTOGRAPH
“Ian Millar and Promise Me at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.”
Photo Credit – Cealy Tetley
