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Triple Olympic medallist Shane Rose is in danger of missing the Paris Olympic Games after a heavy fall from his horse put him in intensive care.
The 50-year-old team eventer was rushed to hospital after a tumble from his horse Virgil during a cross-country session on Thursday.
He all but secured qualification for the Olympics by winning an event in New Zealand last weekend, with his team breaking the news of his accident on social media.
“As the saying goes, peacock one day, feather duster the next!” a Facebook post read.
“After a fantastic week in New Zealand, (where) Shane and Virgil secured their Olympic qualifications, this week Shane was bought back down to earth literally.
“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.”
The post said Rose had surgery to stabilise the fractures.
“Shane is in good hands with a great medical team and support network,” his team said.
“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 made headlines last month by wearing a “mankini” costume at a show-jumping event, with a complaint threatening his participation in Paris before he was cleared by Equestrian Australia following an investigation.
Based in Werombi, west of Sydney, Rose won team silver medals at the 2008 Beijing and 2021 Tokyo Olympics as well as a bronze in Rio in 2016.
He has twice qualified for Games — in 1996 and 2012 — but been unable to compete due to injuries to his horse.
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AAP
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