Doha, Dec 08: Asian Games equestrian chiefs today hit back at suggestions that the rain-sodden course on which South Korean rider Kim Hyung-Chil died was to blame for the tragedy.
The 47-year-old was killed when his horse, Bundaberg Black, hit a fence and stumbled, tossing him to the ground during yesterday's individual cross country event. The mare fell on him and Kim was crushed.
Team doctor Park Won-Hwa said Kim, who left a wife and two children, died from multiple skull fractures and severe bleeding.
The horse, whose hind legs were broken, will be put to death, South Korean officials added.
"In my professional opinion, neither the weather nor the footing had any bearing on this accident," said Andy Griffiths, the eventing technical delegate.
"No blame can be assigned to any individual factor. This is just a tragic accident that happens in our sport from time to time."
South Korea National Olympic Committee president Kim Jung Kil has demanded a full inquiry into yesterday's death.
"We want to know if it was the rain or mismanagement of the competition. We talked to the Korean Equestrian Federation representative at the course and he said that the horse mistimed its jump and slipped," said Kim Jung Kil.
"We have doubts over the schedule being too tight and the fatigue of the horses. The games organising committee and the Asian Equestrian Federation should look into this matter."
Kim Jung Kil was also furious that the competition resumed despite the death of his compatriot.
"We believe that the event was resumed a little too quickly," said Kim.
The South Koreans have yet to decide whether to continue with the equestrian competition.
Yesterday's event took place at Qatar's Sports City despite torrential rain having turned parts of the course into a quagmire.
But Griffiths insists the fence, where Kim Hyung Chil met his death, was safe.
"At the time of the accident, weather conditions were stable and it was not raining," he said.
"The footing on the approach and the landing was checked by me and Oliver Holberg, the footing expert for the next Olympics course and one of the most respected footing experts in the world.
"Obstacle eight was one of the smallest on the course ... It was considered a non-problematic, relatively easy fence.
"The horse essentially got too close to the jump resulting in a somersault-type fall with the full weight of the horse landing on top of the rider on the other side of the fence.
"The rider was probably dead on impact."
Bureau Report
