Team GB suffer huge blow as gold medallist pulls out minutes before Olympic 2024 final

A member of Team GB pulled out of the Olympic showjumping individual final at Paris 2024 on Tuesday.

Harry Charles, who won Olympic gold in the team jumping final last Friday, decided to call it quits ahead of the showjumping event after his horse Romeo 88 suffered a “small overreach”.

Charles' teammates Scott Brash and Ben Maher would go on to compete in the event, which took part on Tuesday morning. but the duo failed to win Team GB's 13th gold of the Games.

Taking to Instagram ahead of the final, Charles opened up on his decision to step away from the showjumping final.

"Unfortunately me and Romeo will not start the individual final today in Paris," he said on Instagram. "After a small overreach yesterday he is not quite the 110% that he has been the whole games, so we are not taking any risks.

"Maybe i’m a little disappointed but honestly not really. He has given me so much and took me beyond my dreams, we’re leaving Paris with a gold medal and more importantly a happy Romeo, so that’s way more than enough for me."

Charles added: "@teamgb have a great shot at the medals with two of the best today in Scott and Ben so we will be on the sidelines cheering them on.

"Thank you to everyone for all the support you’ve given me and romeo throughout the games and making it an experience of a lifetime."

Romeo 88's owner, Ann Thompson, added: "As Romeo’s owner, there are not words to explain my gratitude for Harry putting my horse before himself.

"A sign of a real horseman. Romeo had plans to leave more of himself in Versailles but we go home with team Gold. What a horse."

Fans flocked to Charles' post to show their support for the 25-year-old, who also represented Great Britain at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

One wrote: "After all the negativity around the equestrian event after a certain video emerged a few weeks ago, it it heartwarming to hear that you are putting Romeo’s health and wellbeing first and that he’s not just a commodity. Well done. What a team "

A second commented: "Massive respect Harry for putting Romeo first and making sure he’s okay there will be another Olympics but you only have one of him."

Image credit: Instagram/harrycharles_1

A third said: "Knowing your horse and showing this level of horsemanship at an important event of a lifetime like this is absolutely amazing to see," and a fourth added: "Setting a good example for the rest of the sport by putting Romeo first."

A fifth added: "You've achieved a huge amount this games! Well done for showing amazing horsemanship and thank you for putting Romeo first - not every rider would do that in any competition, nevermind the Olympic games. Great role model."