Equestrian rider Ian Millar of Canada rode into Olympic history on Saturday, setting a record even before his horse jumped its first obstacle.
London marks Millar's 10th Olympics, more than any other athlete in Games history.
The 65-year-old Millar surpassed Austrian sailor Hubert Raudaschi, who retired in 1996 after appearing in nine games.
Millar has been an Olympic competitor for 40 years, his first games being Munich in 1972. The only games he missed in that stretch came during the Western-led boycott of Moscow in 1980.
After his round, in which his horse Star Power knocked down one fence, Millar said he feels the same now physically as he did when he started his Olympic career.
"I am better now than I was then in knowledge and experience," said Millar. "The age of the top riders tends to be older because it takes a lot of time to be consistent."
Known as "Captain Canada" in his home country where he is a national sports hero, Millar twice won jumping's World Cup but has won only one Olympic medal, team silver in China in 2008. He contributed a clean round there to bolster his team despite riding with a broken hand.
He hasn't ruled out the possibility of competing in the 2016 Games in Brazil, but his horse's age is more the issue than his own.
"Star Power is 11 now, so the next time around he'll be 14," said Millar. "If he is willing, I am willing."
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