Paris Olympics 2024: Against All Odds, Hot off Surgery, US Record Holder Abby Steiner Back in Contention for Gold

“If she has surgery now or September, there’s still no way she comes back ready to even stand a chance to make the team for Paris. She’s washed,” read a comment on LetsRun.com in July 2023, casting doubt on Abby Steiner’s Paris Olympics 2024 goals. This comment came after the world champion shut down the remainder of her 2023 track season because of a heel injury. The 24-year-old Ohio native, celebrated as the U.S. indoor record holder in both the 200m and 300m and the NCAA record holder in the 200m, had endured six months of significant pain during competitions, practices, and workouts.

Then, declaring, “Quitting was never an option to me,” and with a resolute promise of “See you next year,” she withdrew from the 2023 track season. Fast forward eight months later and fresh off from surgery, Steiner has not only upheld her promise but has also staged a remarkable resurgence in 2024, propelling herself back into the race for gold at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Abby Steiner makes her 2024 debut ahead of the Paris Olympics 2024

According to a post on X by renowned Jamaican sprinter Fitzroy Junior Dunkley, Abby Steiner made a triumphant debut in the 2024 track season. Making her comeback from surgery in 2023, Steiner showcased her dominance at the 2024 Gamecock Invitational, hosted by South Carolina Track & Field at the Sheila & Morris Cregger Track in Columbia, S.C. In her first race back from surgery, Abby Steiner, representing Puma, stormed to victory in the women’s 400-meter event on April 6, 2024, clocking an impressive time of 51.58 seconds.

Karimah Davis, hailing from Cique Elite, secured second place with a time of 51.98 seconds, while Jahnile Registre, competing for South Carolina, claimed third place with a time of 53.99 seconds. As we marvel at Steiner’s blazing return, let us reminisce on her journey, reflecting on her resilience in overcoming injury and making waves in the face of adversity.

Her tumultuous 2023

Abby Steiner’s 2023 track season ended abruptly because of a nagging heel injury that persisted for six to eight months. The culprit? A bone spur in her left heel relentlessly pressing against her Achilles tendon caused excruciating pain throughout her training sessions, practices, and competitive races. Despite grappling with discomfort, she courageously continued to grace the track and in February 2023, she managed to set an indoor American record in the 300-meter sprint at the Millrose Games with a remarkable time of 35.54 seconds.

However, following her commendable fourth-place finish in the 200-meter race at the USA Track & Field Championships, she made a pivotal decision: surgery. She took to Instagram on July 13, 2023, and shared, “I’m still not quitting. Just attacking the season in a way that’s different than I’d hoped with rehab and healing and taking care of my mental. “ Having already achieved her debut victory in 2024, paving the way for her journey to the Paris Olympics 2024, fans eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for the 24-year-old this year.

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