hankyoreh

The world of sport was dealt a crushing blow Thursday as veteran rider Kim Hyung-chil became the first casualty at equestrian eventing cross-country in Asian Games history.

It was the one record at the quadrennial event that no one ever wanted to see set.

The 47-year-old was crushed by his horse while trying to clear a 110-centimeter fence in the obstacle event and failed to recover consciousness.

The death marks the first South Korean fatality at a major international equestrian event.

The accident occurred when the rider was thrown from his horse and the animal somersaulted over the eighth fence, falling on the rider's face, neck and upper chest. There are 23 fences and obstacles to be surmounted in the 2.7 kilometer race.

Abdulwahab Al-Musleh, the chief medical officer at the Doha Asian Games Organizing Committee (DAGOC), said medics at the Doha Racing and Equestrian Club tried to revive him but failed.

"He was in a state of pulseless electrical activity," he said, indicating Kim was killed on the spot.

"Medical personnel tried to resuscitate him but failed, and this effort went on as he was evacuated to the hospital," Al-Musleh said, adding that he was declared dead at Hamad General Hospital at around 10:50 a.m.

This view that the horseman was killed after being crushed was further supported by the South Korean team doctor. The physician said a fractured scull was the cause of death and that there had been heavy bleeding. With bad weather souring the event, Christopher Hodson, vice president of the International Equestrian Federation (IEF), said the ground jury would have weighed the risk of injury carefully before allowing it to proceed. He said 10 riders completed the course without incident before Kim.

"It was wet but the course had been riding well." Rain was pouring most of the day in the desert village, with intermittent showers delaying some outdoor events, and a heavy downpour that could have suspended the games occurred just after the rider fell.

The official declined to comment on what may have caused the incident, pending a full inquiry.

Hodson said the tragedy would get the full attention of the international equestrian sporting body.

DAGOC, the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), expressed its condolences and said every effort would be made to support Kim's family.

"I feel sorry for his family members and the Korean people as I...failed to protect the athletes," said Chung Hyun-sook, head of South Korea's 832-member delegation to the Asian Games.

South Korea's top equestrian and Olympic committee officials in Doha had convened an emergency meeting on Kim's death.

South Korean riders will pull out of the remaining dressage, eventing and endurance events, South Korean officials said, after holding an emergency meeting. The riders, however, will take part in the individual and team jumping competitions planned for Monday and Tuesday. There are eight gold medals overall in the equestrian competition.

Kim, a part-time university lecturer based in the South Korean city of Yongin, leaves behind a wife, a 7-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter. His younger brother is expected to arrive in Doha on Friday.

Kim was the oldest member of South Korea's equestrian team, winning silver in the team competition at the 2002 Asiad in Busan with his nephew. His late father was also a horseman.

Kim Dong-hwan, an official at South Korea's equestrian body, said fatalities occasionally occur at the cross country event.

"It seems to have been a tragic accident," he said, adding that the rider may have been pushing to win points for speed after underperforming in the previous day's dressage.

Kim's mount, Bundaberg Black, a chestnut gelding from Australia, will be put down after the accident. It suffered a serious injury during the fall.

Meanwhile, South Korean Prime Minister Han Myeong-sook called Chung and Kim Jung-kil, chief of the Korean Olympic Committee, to deliver her condolences. She said the government will take measures to assist in the funeral arrangements.

The OCA is also expected to deliver a special medal to the family of the deceased expressing its grief.

Doha, Dec. 7 (Yonhap News)