 Davison represented GB in humid conditions at Atlanta in 1996 |
The man in charge of the British dressage team says he does not expect further withdrawals from this year's Olympics over climate concerns. GB team captain Richard Davison says he "can't understand" riders who pull out of this summer's event in Hong Kong. The Swiss have withdrawn their dressage team from the 2008 Games with one rider objecting to the heat and humidity. "Hong Kong is horse-friendly and the facilities are second to none," Davison told BBC Sport. "We've had Olympic Games in hot, humid climates and been down this road many times before, and we've had no problems in my memory. "I don't expect any more withdrawals using the excuse of the climate." Davison, who competed in Atlanta in 1996, manages the GB dressage team and also hopes to compete. He said his team was "full on for going" to Hong Kong this summer. "We're not underestimating the climate and taking things extremely seriously - the horses will be supremely prepared in terms of their fitness levels, and so will the riders. "At Atlanta my horse was trained with a heart monitor, we did cardio-vascular work, and any spare fat was trimmed off. "The climate was not an issue. We got specialist help and we have all that back-up for our riders now." Davison is supported by John McEwen, head of the veterinary committee for the group which oversees international equestrian competitions, the FEI. McEwen, who will speak at an FEI "pre-Olympic workshop" on heat and humidity in February, says horses will not suffer unduly in the Hong Kong climate. According to McEwen, teams will use heart monitors, thermal blankets and state-of-the-art cooling facilities to combat the heat and humidity. McEwen believes riders who withdraw from Hong Kong over climate fears have not been properly informed. "They haven't really taken on board the work that we've done to assess the venue and the climate," he said. "It's always difficult for people to understand the degree of the problem until they actually get there, but we do have an awful lot of information and evidence for them to look at.  Davison says science will play a big part in preparing horses and riders |
"With Hong Kong, climate is a challenge and we are aware of that, but the bottom line is I think we can run a meaningful Games there." But McEwen, who is also the GB team vet, did admit the venue is not ideal, saying: "If you asked me whether I would choose it for an event of this sort, that's a different question altogether. "But we have to work with what we're given." McEwen and other vets will use technology in an attempt to minimise the impact on horses who travel to Hong Kong. "We've got the best facilities ever - air-conditioned boxes and an air-conditioned indoor school, the cooling facilities are the very best we've ever had, and the transport is extremely slick. "We can expose horses to the heat during training prior to going to Hong Kong, using thermal blankets. That's something human athletes have used in the past - it's only an aid, but it's useful. "And we've done some work on the ideal time to bring the horses in to Hong Kong, so that they have time to acclimatise without losing too much fitness."  | 606: DEBATE |
Davison says his team of riders will also be put through their paces before travelling to Hong Kong. "We've got heat chambers our riders will go in, to help them get used to working in that type of atmosphere. "Saddle cloths for the horses will be redesigned, even the riders' competition clothing will be made out of the latest material. "The horses are put through the mill - their heart rate is monitored, as is their respiration - and we're using that science to make sure both horses and riders are fully prepared."
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Whether I would choose Hong Kong for an event of this sort is a different question, but we have to work with what we're given.
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