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Olympic doubt for Australian 'mankini' rider after serious fall / Photo: © AFP
Olympic doubt for Australian 'mankini' rider after serious fall
Top Australian equestrian Shane Rose's hopes of competing at a fourth Olympics were in doubt Friday after a serious fall, just weeks after escaping punishment for wearing a "mankini" during a showjumping competition.
The three-time Olympic medallist was rushed to hospital with a heavy concussion, a broken femur, fractured pelvis and fractured ribs after falling off his horse during a cross-country ride on Thursday.
"Shane had surgery this morning to stabilise the femur and pelvis," said a statement on his Instagram page, adding that he was in intensive care.
"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 Olympics Games."
Rose secured his Olympic qualification at a recent event in New Zealand.
He was allowed to compete there after escaping sanction for sporting a fluorescent orange "mankini" -- an outfit popularised by the movie Borat -- last month at a competition where riders were encouraged to wear fancy dress.
It sparked a complaint and he was stood down from all competition by Equestrian Australia.
But the governing body opted not to punish him after a groundswell of public support and global headlines.
Rose won team eventing silver medals at the 2008 and 2020 Olympics, and a bronze at the 2016 Games.
O. Joergensen--BTZ
