Olympics: Belgian rider creates goosebumps moment with tribute to late husband
Belgian rider Larissa Pauluis moved the crowds in Paris on Tuesday after her performance in the qualifications of the dressage competition. She paid tribute to her late husband with an emotional message written on her gloves: “I promised you. I did it”.
Pauluis and teammates Flore De Winne and Domien Michiels all performed excellently in the dressage competition and qualified for Saturday's team final as one of the top 10 countries. With her message, Pauluis thanked her late husband for believing in her.
“I have to thank him up there,” the 44-year-old told a VRT reporter. Husband Gregoire Naslin died of a heart attack aged 39 four years ago.
“When I realised Gregoire would not make it, I promised him I would be here in Paris,” she said. “I really meant it when I said I wanted to make it to the Games for him. And here I am.”
Larissa Pauluis pays tribute to her late husband with a message written on her gloves during the qualifications of the Olympic dressage equestrian event on 30 July 2024 in Paris © BELGA PHOTO ANTHONY BEHAR