There was heartbreak in Paris as show jumper Nayel Nassar, the son-in-law of billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates, was forced to retire from the Olympics after a ‘minor injury’ to his horse Coronado. The equestrian, who was due to compete for the Egyptian delegation, would have taken to the course at the Palace of Versailles in a bid for gold medal glory this week.

In a moving statement on Instagram mere days before his event, the 33-year-old rider informed his followers of the sad turn of events, which involved his Coronado sustaining an injury following a veterinary inspection last week. Equestrian regulations state that no substitutions can be made following the first assessment, so rather than risk more serious harm to his horse, Nassar and the Egyptian Federation chose to pull out of the event – ‘even if that means sacrificing the life-long dream of Olympic glory in the short-term.’

He wrote, ‘While this setback is gutting, horse welfare remains our utmost priority and we are taking solace in the fact that we are making the best decision for the well-being of our fabulous horse, Coronado. We remain hopeful and committed to returning stronger and more determined than ever.’

Nassar thanked the Federation, sponsors, family, and friends who had been by his side throughout the Olympic season, posting, ‘Your unwavering encouragement and belief in us have been incredible, and we are truly grateful for the immense support we have received.’

Indeed, his wife, Jennifer Gates, offered a message of encouragement after the news was announced over the weekend. ‘The horse’s welfare always comes first,’ said the 28-year-old daughter of Bill and Melinda Gates, who are divorced. ‘A huge disappointment not to be able to compete but I am still just as proud as ever of @NayelNassar and @Evergatestables.’

When competing on the international circuit, Nassar represents Evergate Stables, which he runs alongside Jennifer, herself a keen equestrian.

The Gates family had come out in support of their Olympian relative, just as they did for Tokyo 2020, when he made history as part of the first Egyptian team to qualify for the show jumping in 61 years.

Philanthropist Melinda, 59, took to social media to cheer on the equestrian, writing ‘So excited to watch you compete at the Olympics, @nayelnassar! I’m rooting for you.’ Bill, 68, has been in Paris, watching the men’s tennis event alongside his rumoured new girlfriend, Paula Hurd.

Bill was joined by both his son-in-law and Hurd at the women’s all-around gymnastics final, watching on as Simone Biles flipped, spun, and vaulted her way to an historic gold medal in the Bercy Arena.

Philanthropist Melinda, 59, took to social media to cheer on the equestrian, writing ‘So excited to watch you compete at the Olympics, @nayelnassar! I’m rooting for you.’ Bill, 68, has been in Paris, watching the men’s tennis event alongside his rumoured new girlfriend, Paula Hurd.

Bill was joined by both his son-in-law and Hurd at the women’s all-around gymnastics final, watching on as Simone Biles flipped, spun, and vaulted her way to an historic gold medal in the Bercy Arena.

And while Nayel Nassar may not be able to compete for the podium this Olympics, he is already enjoying an illustrious career in equestrianism – a sport that permits far lengthier careers than gymnastics (just ask Carl Hester, who has competed in seven Olympics and recently helped Team GB earn a bronze medal in dressage).

Born to Egyptian architect parents in Chicago and raised in Kuwait before moving to California, Nassar is a mainstay of the Grand Prix circuit. A keen equestrian since the age of five, the Stanford graduate has garnered some prestigious silverware throughout his career. In 2019, he won the Longines Grand Prix of New York, becoming the first rider to claim victory at the Longines Speed Challenge and the Longines Grand Prix at the same event, on the same horse.

He began dating Jennifer, who is currently completing a residency at Mount Sinai’s Icahn School of Medicine after completing her PhD, in 2017. While she never competed for Team USA, the eldest Gates daughter is also a passionate equestrian, and runs the Evergate Stables with her partner.

The pair married in 2021, and last October Nayel shared a heartwarming Instagram post celebrating their second wedding anniversary. ‘2 years ago today I had the privilege of marrying my best friend, my confidante, my wife. I love you more and more every day,’ wrote the Olympic hopeful, ‘would marry you all over again in a heartbeat.’