Isoup Ganthy

Isoup Ganthy (; 12 November 1929 – 6 December 1976) was a Cambodian equestrian and diplomat. Born to an Indian-Cambodian family, he later joined the Cambodian National Police and began horseback riding. He then studied in France and further practiced the sport. At the 1956 Summer Olympics, he competed as part of the first Cambodian team at a games, doing so in the individual show jumping event. He did not medal in the event.

After the games, he became involved in politics as a diplomat. He represented the Norodom Sihanouk-led GRUNK government-in-exile during the 1970s and seized the country's embassy in Prague in what was then Czechoslovakia, alongside Cambodian students. He later served as ambassador to Albania and then Sweden. He was arrested by the Khmer Rouge in September 1976 and was sent to Tuol Sleng prison, forcing him to confess treason. He later died within custody in the prison.

Early life and sporting career

Isoup Ganthy was born on 12 November 1929 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, to an Indian-Cambodian family. Later on, he joined the Cambodian National Police and began horseback riding. He moved to France for several years to continue his studies alongside learning more about the sport and refining his technique. due to Australian regulations on horses at the time that required a six-month pre-shipment quarantine, the equestrian events were held in Stockholm, Sweden. Alongside his teammate Saing Pen, they competed in the individual show jumping event on 17 June. Ganthy rode on Flatteur II and did not complete his run in the first round, thus eliminating him from the event. Due to this, he did not medal in the event. Cambodia would not send a team for the Melbourne-held events as they boycotted the games in response to the Suez Crisis.

Diplomacy years, arrest, and death Upon returning back to Cambodia after his studies, he was involved in government activities. He worked for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and served as a diplomat, representing the Norodom Sihanouk-led GRUNK government-in-exile during the 1970s. Electricity and water in the embassy were eventually shut off. Sihanouk then requested to the Czechoslovak government to restore the water and electricity in the embassy and for the diplomats of China and North Vietnam be permitted to deliver food to the occupants. Sihanouk then further requested that the Czechoslovak government to recognize his government rather than of Nol's.

Ganthy later served as the ambassador of Cambodia to Albania and then Sweden. He was then arrested by the Khmer Rouge in September 1976 as they had suspected Ganthy of assisting the KGB to overthrow the country. He was sent to the Tuol Sleng prison and was forced to confess treason. He later died, possibly killed, on 6 December 1976 at the age of 47.