Commentator stunned as Olympics coverage cuts to Thomas Muller dancing with horse
Bayern Munich legend Thomas Muller is taking a background role at the Olympics, that is until he unexpectedly popped up during a Germany women’s football match.
The iconic striker is enjoying a summer off after retiring from international duty, and is spending his time in Paris due to his second passion after football - being a horse trainer.
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Muller got to witness his horse Checker win gold under the guidance German equestrian Christian Kukuk during the individual jumping on Tuesday.
If that wasn't enough screen time for Checker, he'd then bizarrely appear on screen with Muller during the Germany vs USA women's football semi-final.
Only 11 minutes had passed during the final four clash, when Germany's state ARD broadcast randomly cut to Muller dancing with Checker, mirroring his leg movements.
Commentator Stephanie Baczyk was stunned, saying: “Yes, and now I see Thomas Müller here with a horse.
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“I don’t think this was planned. Maybe he’ll give us a little motivation. I hope that will be passed on to the German team.”
Going first in the event, Kukuk put on a tremendous show that no-one else could topple after clocking in at 38.34 seconds.
Steve Guerdat, who won gold at London 2012, was the last to go, but he could only muster silver while riding Dynamix De Belheme after going a fence down.
Alongside his wife dressage wife Lisa, the Muller runs a stud farm where Checker was raised, and he co-owns the horse alongside German entrepreneur Madeleine Winter-Schulze.
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And Kukuk paid tribute to Muller following the event, insisting that the Germany international played a 'very big part'.
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“We must not forget: Madeleine Winter-Schulze and Thomas Muller have played a very big part in this success because they are the two owners of Checker,” he said.
“They gave me the opportunity to continue riding the horse and to ensure that he will not be sold one day.
"I’m incredibly grateful for that and that I was able to repay their trust today.”
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The gold has come as a shock to Germany, who have not won a medal at the Olympics in the individual event since Marco Kutscher's bronze in Athens in 2004.
And the wait for a gold medal was even longer when Ulrich Kirchhoff rode Jus de Pommes to glory at Atlanta in 1996.
Speaking of the achievement, Kukuk remarked: "I’m just feeling very emotional, proud, happy of winning this gold medal today.
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“It is something special. Not many [German] people won a gold medal in show jumping.
"Only a few and I’m one of them now and this will stay forever and this is incredible, but I need a few more days to really realise it.
“We were struggling with this gold medal. It’s 28 years ago the last one and that’s a long time for such a horse country.
"I’m happy that I’m the next one and hopefully it doesn’t take 28 years again for the next one, so I’m looking forward for the future.”
As for Muller, aged 34, he is still going strong in football and intends on being a key player under new boss Vincent Kompany at Bayern.
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But what started out as a hobby with his wife has turned into a livelihood, running the Wettlkam estate near Munich.
His wife, Lisa, rides dressage competitively and Muller recently said: "She infected me with the horse virus."
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