Nick Skelton made history in more than one way tonight.
As well as taking Great Britain’s first individual showjumping gold medal in Olympic history, he also becomes Britain’s oldest medallist since 1948.
The 58-year-old, from Alcester in Warwickshire, is the oldest medallist since John Copley, who took silver in art aged 73. Yes you heard it – art. We didn’t know it used to be sport either.
Skelton’s son Dan posted this heartwarming tweet.
I may be biased but I think this is what a hero looks like. #NickSkelton #mydad pic.twitter.com/ab96OSoy2p
— Dan Skelton (@Dannskelton) August 19, 2016
Skelton and Big Star – his London 2012 team gold medal-winning ride – were among six combinations that jumped off against the clock.
Skelton, competing in his seventh Olympics, set a scorching pace of 42.82 seconds despite being first to go, that no other rider could match.
Only in the Olympics would you cheer for an old bloke on a horse jumping over 'it's a knockout' style obstacles. Great stuff Nick Skelton.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 19, 2016
What an amazing result for Nick Skelton. Finally, he wins individual GOLD ð #BBCRio2016
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) August 19, 2016
Nick Skelton after all he has gone through gets my vote for #SPOTY … Unbelievable story …
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 19, 2016
