Paris Olympics 2024: 5 Heartbreaking Athletes’ Stories Whose Dreams Were Shattered Over Injuries

As the Paris Olympics 2024 builds up anticipation, the athletes engage themselves in a more stringent practice schedule to fill up any remaining gaps. In certain sports categories, the trial occasion is already going on or is about to take place soon. Such a competitive build-up has brought additional pressure on the athletes to remain at the top. However, often the effort is jeopardized by injuries.

Such injuries could end the precious Olympic prospects for the unfortunate athletes. Here are five athletes who have lost their Paris Olympics 2024 dream, after being forced by injuries. The list of athletes showcases an American name on the top rung. 

Alicia Monson 

In the 10k event, the USA contingent bound for the Paris Olympics could have its best medal-earning chance in Alicia Monson. The runner already boasts of having the record timing in the 10k event in the women’s category. However, through an IG post, the athlete informed her fans about her bowing out from Olympic chances. 

It was because of a medial meniscus complete root tear. As per Alicia, the injury would need surgery and a thorough process to gain full strength. Such conditions were enough for her to go out of the discussion for a larger chunk of the season, including the Paris Olympics trial and the main event. 

Yulimar Rojas 

The reigning Olympic champion in the triple jump category, Yulimar Rojas built up the best chance to repeat her success donning her national, Venezuelan color. However, the 4x world champion’s dream was shattered by an Achilles tendon injury during her practice session. Through a detailed IG post, Yulimar posted the gloomy news. 

“My heart is broken and I want to say sorry that I will not be able to take part in Paris 2024,” she admitted in that post. The possible time needed to gain full fitness is still unknown. So, that is the end of Yulimar Rojas’ Paris Olympics 2024 dream.

Just Kwaou-Mathey

The French athlete received the same fate as Yulimar Rojas. The difference is that his training camp was in Dubai while he faced an Achilles tendon injury. However, for the World Indoor medalist, the news brought a double blow. 

The hurdler was about to make his maiden Olympic appearance in front of his home crowd. So after the injury, that magnificent dream went stale. Just Kwaou-Mathey is yet to know his return time on the track. 

Emma Bates 

The legendary American marathoner is in full health now. But her past injury already shattered her participation in the US Olympic marathon trials last February. Eventually, Emma Bates’ multi-pronged injury in plantar fascia and posterior tibial tendonitis was the first in her athletic career. 

But the precarious nature of the injury made her miss the trial. Now, Emma Bates is looking forward to participating in the Boston Marathon 2024. However, her Olympic dreams for Paris are not coming back. 

Trevor Hofbauer

The 32-year-old Canadian marathoner injured his Achilles in a marathon just a few weeks back. But the situation remained deep enough to back out from the contention. Moreover, Trevor Hofbauer has decided to step back for the rest of the athletic season. But he has another duty on his list. 

The Tokyo Olympic attendee has preferred to cheer for his Team Canada being a NARP (Non-Athletic Regular Person). 

Apart from these names, marathoner Natasha Wodak also lost her Paris Olympics selection fate after facing a hamstring injury. The Canadian runner accepted her busy schedule to take a toll on her. Eventually, she pulled her hamstring during her Houston Marathon participation. 

The Frenchman Kevin Mayer has recently sustained a knee injury. It was during the Aztec International in San Diego. The reigning Olympic decathlon medalist has had a long relationship with injuries. However, his Paris Olympics 2024 participation fate is still unknown.