Japanese rider is Olympics oldest competitor

LONDON (AP) -Hiroshi Hoketsu of Japan has officially become the oldest competitor at the 2012 London games.

The 71-year-old Hoketsu passed the milestone Thursday when his horse Whisper cantered into the ring at the equestrian dressage competition at Greenwich Park.

Hoketsu was also the oldest competitor at the 2008 games in China. An even greater feat may be that it's been 48 years since his first Olympic appearance. He competed in equestrian show jumping in 1964 in Tokyo.

Hoketsu says: "The biggest motivation I have to keep competing is that I feel I am improving.''

Oscar Swahn of Sweden holds the record for the oldest Olympian ever; he won silver in shooting in 1920 at the age of 72.