MY OLYMPIC STORY
Nelson Pessoa on his elusive quest for an Olympic medal, satisfaction at last, and why the Games trump every other achievement
6 weeks to go
IWON just about everything as a rider but never quite managed to get in the top three at any of the many Olympics in which I competed. That was disappointing, of course, yet it felt very special to even be taking part. I am sure that anyone who has taken part in any sport at the Olympics will understand that.
Yes, it is disappointing not to come away with a medal, but later you realise that at least you were there. You are an Olympian forever, nobody can take that away from you. For me there was a silver lining – or should I say a bronze lining. I think it was inevitable that I would have a lifetime of working with horses. My father was a big influence but then so were the horses themselves. From a very early age I saw them as something special, very special, and that has never changed.
I started winning when I was young and when you receive a trophy it is a great experience. You feel that your hard work has been rewarded. You also feel that your horse has been rewarded and you want to have that feeling again and again. If you are prepared to put in the work it can happen.
MY FIRST OLYMPICS
I CONTINUED to win and as I grew older my enthusiasm grew with me. When I found myself in the Brazilian Olympic team to compete in Stockholm in 1956 I was so excited, I could hardly believe it. It was a fantastic experience. I don’t think any of us really expected to win a medal but we tried our best.
The team finished 10th out of 20 teams, and I finished 33 out of 66 riders. It was a tough course as I remember. It would have been nice to win but it was my first Olympics. When you’re competing against Hans Günter Winkler, who took gold and the amazing D’Inzeo brothers, who took silver and bronze, you know it is not going to be easy.
I was to be back again eight years later in Tokyo. I still didn’t win a medal but we managed to come fifth individually out of 46 riders. We were improving. Then came Mexico in 1968 when I finished in 16th place.
The Brazilian team did much better and finished seventh, which was quite an achievement.
By now I really wanted an Olympic medal. We were winning many international competitions but, as I said, everyone wants an Olympic medal. We hoped that Munich in 1972 might be our chance but 39th was the best I could do.
I thought that maybe it was never going to happen but 20 years later, in Barcelona on Vivaldi, there was another chance. The Brazilan team finished 10th and my son Rodrigo was also on that team, a great experience for both of us. I was well down the list as an individual but still happy to have competed.
ALAST HURRAH
