Small protest greets Syrian equestrian rider
Small group protests against Syrian Olympic contestant quoted as supporting Assad
The rider's father is under US and EU sanctions for supporting the regime of President Bashar Assad.
Syria's civil war has intensified in recent weeks as rebels focused on the country's two biggest cities, Damascus and Aleppo.
Hamsho competed Saturday in the show jumping individual qualifier, producing a clear round in good time on Wonderboy.
He has been quoted in the British media as supporting Assad. But on Saturday, he said he was only representing Syria and he dismissed the protesters outside the gate as "stupid."
"They should be proud of us athletes who are representing Syria," Hamsho said. "I represent only my country and they should be proud of us, of athletes who are representing Syria."
He said the conflict back at home was not a distraction for his performance on Wonderboy, a Belgian warmblood he acquired in 2010.
Hamcho notched up one fault for being over the regulation time on his round but qualified for the individual final on August 8 at Greenwich Park.
