Olympic star rushed to hospital and in intensive care after horror fall weeks after showjumping ban for wearing mankini
AN Australian Olympic star has been rushed to hospital after suffering a serious fall ahead of the Paris 2024 Summer Games.
Equestrian great Shane Rose is in intensive care just weeks after he received a showjumping ban for performing in a mankini.
Three-time Olympic medalist Rose is in hospital after a serious fall causing him to suffer a heavy concussion, broken femur, fractured pelvis and ribs.
The 50-year-old just weeks ago was given the green light to compete in the Olympics this summer and had been performing at a cross-country schooling session when he fell.
Posting on social media on Friday, Mr Rose’s team wrote: “As the saying goes peacock one day, feather duster the next.”
“After a fantastic week in New Zealand, Shane and Virgil secured their Olympic qualifications.
“This week, Shane was brought back down to earth literally.”
His team then added: “During a cross-country schooling session yesterday Shane suffered a nasty fall.
“Thankfully his horse was not injured in the fall.
“Shane is currently in ICU with a badly broken femur and a fractured pelvis and ribs. He also suffered a heavy concussion.
They reassured fans Rose is in great care and has an excellent support network around him.
His team continued: “While the timing is unfortunate we are hopeful there is adequate time for him to recover and still be able to continue his preparation schedule for the Paris Olympic Games.”
The equestrian governing body are reviewing a complaint about Rose after he wore an orange mankini during a fancy dress showjumping event in February.
Rose was asked to “step down from competition” after his very revealing outfit caught everyone’s attention at the Wallaby Hill Extravaganza near Sydney, Australia riding his horse wearing only the Borat-famous fit.
The Aussie star is memorable for his Olympic glory where he won silver medals in the team eventing at the Olympic Games in Beijing and Tokyo – while he picked up bronze in Rio.