Veteran equestrian athletes Jose Larocca and Rolf-Goran Bengtsson still riding strong
From the 58-year-old table tennis player making her Olympic debut to the equestrian rider competing in his seventh Games at the age of 62, at Paris 2024 athletes of all ages are making an impact in their sport. The Straits Times looks at three athletes who are proving that age is no barrier to achieving their dreams.
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Jose Larocca Jr, 55, is competing in his fifth Olympics in Paris.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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PARIS – On a regular work day, Argentinian Jose Larocca, an executive director at commodity giant Trafigura Group, is usually dressed in a suit and tie.
At Paris 2024, the 55-year-old has traded his office wear for a hunting cap, riding jacket and breeches, competing with his horse Finn Lente at the Palace of Versailles Arena.
The veteran showjumper is competing in his fifth Olympics and does not plan to stop any time soon.
In fact, he plans to step back from corporate work to focus more on the sport.
He said: “I’ve been in an office for 32 years now and I’m going to step down finally.
“I’m done with this job and I’m going to dedicate myself a bit more to riding. I’m not that young, but I’m still very enthusiastic so I want to continue riding for a few more years.”
The Argentinian started doing the sport competitively only at 34. He used to ride when he was younger, but stopped when he moved to London for work at 24.
But in the decade away from the sport, he often longed to return to it. He said: “I always wanted to ride again. I always had a pain in my heart because I couldn’t ride, but I really wanted to start riding again.”
Then came an opportunity in 2003. Having earned some money, Larocca felt like he could afford to dedicate a bit more time to competing.
Initially the goal was just to jump 1.3m. He gave himself more time to train and compete by waking at 5am to go for runs.
He participated in his first World Equestrian Games in 2006, before making his Olympic debut two years later. Larocca was also a silver medallist at the Pan American Games.
“I always wanted to ride. I love horses, I love competition, I love the sport.”
That same passion is also what keeps Sweden’s Rolf-Goran Bengtsson going at 62.
He is the oldest showjumping competitor at the Paris Games, where he made his seventh Olympic appearance. He was a reserve rider for the Swedish team at the Tokyo Games and won silver medals at the 2004 (team) and 2008 (individual) Olympics.
Bengtsson’s affinity and love for horses began as a young boy – he grew up on a farm around horses and going into competitive horse riding seemed like a natural progression for him.
Rolf-Goran Bengtsson of Sweden is driven by his love for working with horses.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Like Larocca, he still feels like he has more in the tank, although he stopped short of committing to another Olympics.
He said: “I feel well, I like this and I’m fit enough to go in and ride around, as good as the other young guns here.
“That’s the nice thing about equestrian sport – the longer you stay in the game, the more experience you get and you can compensate that with the fact that you’re no longer as athletic as you were at 20 years old.”
