The Olympics started on August 5, 2016. Already two days into the event and there is some terrible news. French gymnast, Samir Ait Said, broke his leg during his landing from the vault. Ait Said was doing backflips off the vault when the injury occurred. Ait Said landed awkwardly on the platform and his leg was then noticeably distorted. The French gymnastics officials eventually tweeted that Said had broken his tibia and fibula.
Samir Ait Said is expected to have surgery done very soon. The fractures on his leg were quite painful and damaging. Though the French gymnast has not lost all of his hope. Ait Said assured fans that he would be back ready to win the Olympics in the year of 2020. Many of the fans in the stands at Rio were shocked to see the injury happen so quickly.
The sound of Said’s bones breaking seemed to ring out in the arena. Even the fans sitting at home could hear the loud crack through their television screens. Many tried to look away due to the disturbing crookedness Ait Said’s leg took on. Ait Said’s leg is almost hanging jaggedly off his bones in places. These places are the knee and ankle mainly.
The French men’s gymnastic team also cringed at the sight of their suffering friend. Ait Said was also going to compete in multiple other events. Yet his injury has caused him to withdraw from the games before he had a chance. Medical staff assisted Ait Said and wheeled the athlete away on a stretcher. Though his dreams of winning gold were ended, Ait Said did receive a massive applause before he exited the arena.
Olympians risk themselves every single time they show their talent. Sports of all natures involve the risk of injury. This is why perfect practice is the key to succeeding in the events. Properly done moves have the ability to really turn the tides in competitions. However, moves off all different types and skill levels all involve risk of injury to oneself.
Though this is not the first injury Aid Said has ever come across. In the year of 2012 Said fractured his right leg in three places. This injury also occurred at the Olympic games during the vaulting exercises. Therefore Said is no stranger to pain or perseverance. Though it is sad, at least Ait Said will receive the emergent surgery he requires. Yet what of the French men’s gymnastics team?
Many of Ait Said’s teammates are very saddened by his injury. There are pictures of the team looking away when the injury occurred. The French men’s gymnastics teams hope for a speedy recovery for Ait Said. This will not allow Ait Said to return to the Olympics though. Yet hopefully, the needed surgery will allow Ait Said to compete in the future.
Though Ait Said’s injury was quite gruesome it was not the only one of its kind. Multiple other Olympic athletes also have suffered from severe injuries. One Olympic athlete was even injured right before Ait Said’s injury occurred. The German men’s gymnastics team also suffered the loss of Andreas Toba. Toba hurt himself on a floor exercise routine.
Toba could not even finish his floor routine due to his pain being so excruciating. Medical staff had to assist Toba off the podium due to the extent of the knee injury. Though Toba did manage to complete a pommel horse routine. However, the Olympic Athlete did so without putting weight on his injured leg. One does hope that the Olympic athletes do take care and caution when continuing to compete this year.
