The now 60-year-old Martinez finished second in the Pan American Games, underway in Chile. The Venezuelan Olympic Committee announced that it is the experienced silver medalist who won the spot for the country that will be nominated and flown to Paris next year.
According to nbcsports.com citing Billy Mallon, this is the second longest gap in history of Olympic performances.
The record holder is Japan’s Hiroshi Hoketsu. He first appeared in the equestrian show jumping competition in 1964 in Tokyo. He was an Olympian for the second time after a gap of 44 years - in Beijing in 2008, when he was 67 years old. At that time he placed 10th in the team dressage competition and 35th in the individual competition. He also qualified for the next Olympics and performed in London in 2012 at the age of 71.
Martinez can become the oldest Olympic shooter since the 2012 London Games and the oldest Venezuelan Olympian in history.
