Johannes ("Jan") Augustinus Petrus Tops (born April 5, 1961 in Valkenswaard, North Brabant) is an equestrian from The Netherlands, who won the gold medal in the team jumping event at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain riding Top Gun. He did so alongside Piet Raijmakers, Jos Lansink and Bert Romp. He competed in four consecutive Summer Olympics for his native country, starting in 1988.
Jan Tops initiated the Global Champions Tour in 2006. The equestrian sport was in need of a positive impulse, and by founding this world class renown tour, the media attention was increased as well as the prize money.
Presenting sponsors CN and CN WorldWide have been with the GCT since the beginning, as well as media partner Eurosport who broadcasts the Global Champions Tour legs in 59 countries. Rolex has become the official timepiece since 2008.
The legs of 2008 took place in Doha (QAT), Hamburg (GER), Cannes (FRA), Monte-Carlo (MON), Estoril (POR), Valkenswaard (NED), Arezzo (ITA), and São Paulo (BRA).
Tops married Australian borne Edwina Alexander in September 2011.
Famous quotes containing the word tops:
“Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountain tops that freeze
Bow themselves when he did sing.
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung, as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring.”
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616)