Tokyo 2020: Team Ireland profiles - Shane Sweetnam (Equestrian)

Sweetman has travelled to Tokyo as an alternate rider

Shane Sweetnam in action during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida earlier this year. Photograph: Aaron Gilbert/Icon SportsWire
Shane Sweetnam in action during the Winter Equestrian Festival in Florida earlier this year. Photograph: Aaron Gilbert/Icon SportsWire

Age: 40

Sport: Show Jumping

Olympic Horse: Karlin Van't Vennehof.

Another Irish European Championship gold medal winner, Sweetman has been selected to travel to the Games as an alternate rider and can be called upon to jump if required at different stages of the competition. Beginning his Grand Prix career at 16 and now based in Florida, he comes from a family steeped in equestrian tradition and is also a first cousin of former Munster and Ireland rugby player Donnacha Ryan.

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan

Ian O'Riordan is an Irish Times sports journalist writing on athletics