2000 Olympic Games - Sydney, Australia

Day 8: David O'Connor Wins 3-Day Event

22nd September 2000 --

American David O'Connor won the gold medal in the individual three-day event on Friday ahead of Australian Andrew Hoy and Mark Todd of New Zealand.

O'Connor, a bronze medallist in the team event, knocked down only one rail in his jumping round to finish on a very low 34.00 penalties after the three tests — dressage, cross country, and jumping.

O'Connor led after each stage. Australia's Hoy, a gold medallist in the team event, moved to second from fourth after a faultless jumping display, while Todd remained in third place after incurring three time penalties.

Greece's Heidi Antikatzidis dropped from second to sixth when she knocked down two rails and ran over time.

The event was Todd's last competition before retiring. He has won a record 25 international eventing titles, including Olympic gold in 1984 and 1988, and was named the International Equestrian Federation's eventing rider of the century.

Image by Diana DeRosa

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