Olympic equestrian could qualify for retirement benefits

While most athletes in the London Games are considered “old” by their mid-20s, Japan’s Olympian in Equestrian Dressage has lived long enough to remember World War II. Although he isn’t the oldest Olympian ever, 71-year old Hiroshi Hoketsu will be competing in his third Olympics, after qualifying for the first time as a show jumper in Tokyo’s 1964 games. At 19, his horse Whisper is closer to the age of most of his fellow competitors than he is. So after 48 years at the peak of his sport, Hoketsu must have some killer conditioning secrets, right? “I eat what I want and drink as much as I want to drink,” says Hoketsu. “My secret is to have a good life, enjoy yourself, and do the things that make you happy.” [Source]