Indian ‘surprise’ finishes way behind

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Sydney: This was one entry, which even the Indian contingent members got to know of only after their arrival in Sydney. In fact not even then, they learnt of Imtiaz Anees being part of the squad only when someone chanced upon his name in the entry list.

Initially they all thought it might have been a mistake on part of the Sydney Organsing Committee for the Olympic Games, but then realised that Anees was already in Australia - he has been living and training here - and had actually qualified.

Though his name was not part of the contingent released in India, it is learnt that the chef de mission, A K Mattoo, with the help of some Equestrian Federation of India officials, managed to ensure that Imtiaz and his mount, Spring Invader got a chance at the Games.

Imtiaz Anees was on view on Wednesday morning in the three-day event Dressage. Competing in the first segment, he finished 15th with 61penalty points. Germany's Marina Koehncke, astride Longchamps led the field with 34.80 penalty points, while Greek Heidi Antikatzidis atop Michaelmas is second with 37.40 penalty points.

The Dressage is one of the few events in which men and women compete together. There are two more segments left in the competition and will be competed over in the next two days.

India Abroad News Service