RIO CHAMPION MARIN PULLS OUT OF OLYMPICS DUE TO KNEE INJURY
NEW DELHI: Defending champion Carolina Marin on Tuesday pulled out of the Tokyo Olympics after suffering an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear in her left knee that will require a surgery to heal. The 27-year-old Spaniard felt discomfort in her knee during training on Saturday and tests revealed that it’s an ACL injury.
“After the examination during the weekend and the medical consultation, I confirm that I have torn the ACL and both meniscus on my left knee. I will undergo surgery this week and start my recovery,” Marin tweeted. “This is another blow that I have to deal, but I will certainly be back. The preparation during the last two months had become very difficult for reasons beyond the team’s control, but we were excited and knew that I would be in the best shape for the Olympics. It won’t be possible.” The Olympic Games are schedule to begin on July 23.
Marin, a three-time World Champion, was a title favourite as she had been in top form this year. “I want to thank everyone for your support and messages during these days. I know that I am in safe hands and that I have a lot of people by my side.”
Marin had earlier suffered an ACL injury on her right knee in January 2019, which kept her out of the court until September of that year.
Marin had defeated PV Sindhu in the final to claim gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.