FORMER Irish show jumping team manager Rodrigo Pessoa (inset)

contested his eighth Olympic Games in Paris earlier this week riding Major Tom who was, at one stage, produced by Ireland’s Michael Duffy. The Brazilian rider has three Olympic medals, including individual gold at Athens 2004.

He had to wait a while to get Paris underway when his teammate, Pedro Veniss, was eliminated from the competition after a fleck of blood was found on the flank of the animal. With the three to a team format, Brazil had no chance at a medal so Pessoa withdrew from the team round and had to wait until Monday’s individual qualifier to get his campaign underway.

“Every Olympic Games is special. Maybe this one is extra special with the backdrop, the atmosphere, not one empty seat – you have to pinch yourself,” he said after jumping clear in that class.

“I’ve been to a lot of shows in my life but the Olympics is always different. That’s why it’s the biggest thing in the sport for many athletes. You see Novak Djokovic won everything in the sport of tennis in his life: 24 grand slams, $200million of prize money and he’s crying because he won a gold medal last night. That’s the Olympic effect that you don’t get anywhere else.”

Pessoa has now overtaken his father, the legendary Nelson Pessoa, with eight Olympic appearances. The 88-year-old was spotted in the media centre watching the jumping at one stage. He was also on site for the eventing.

“He is here, enjoying it, and my family and kids, the whole cheering squad,” added Rodrigo who jumped at his first Olympics in Barcelona 1992 alongside his father. Nelson was the oldest athlete at 56, Rodgrigo the youngest at 19.

Pessoa retired in Tuesday’s individual final after two fences down, knowing he couldn’t progress to winning a medal.