French gymnast Samir Ait Said’s horrific leg injury shocked the world, then bumbling paramedics dropped him on the ground.
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In the opening day of competition, the Olympian’s vault sent him flying through the air in hopes of an Olympic medal, but his dreams were crushed when an awkward landing snapped his leg. He fell to the mat in agony clutching the back of his knee and the lower part of his leg, which visibly flopped to one side to gasps of horror from the crowd.
“The operation went very well and I can be back on my feet quite soon, relatively”. Leading French gymnastics correspondent Anouk Corge of national sports daily L’Equipe told USA TODAY Sports that Ait Said had suffered the same injury in the build-up to the London Olympics four years ago. “Actually, I still can return to the venue to cheer on my friends because the competition isn’t over”.
“So come on France, I’m behind all my pals”, Ait Said said in the video.
Gymnastics federation medical commission chief Dr. Michel Leglise said they expected the French gymnast to recover well. It was those sort of injuries that spectators and even teammates don’t want to see.
They also said he thanked everyone, especially the fans of the game for their support and goodwill messages and he also promises to be back for gold in Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Getty Images Samir Ait Said runs towards the vault.
“Believe me, the Tokyo 2020 adventure is still alive”, Said said.
It’s uncertain if the meeting will occur, as Said has not accepted any visitors yet. That’s the value of the Olympic spirit.
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Well-wishes poured in from around the world, including former National Football League quarterback Joe Theismann, who suffered one of the most gruesome injuries in sports history when his leg was mangled after being sacked by Lawrence Taylor in 1985.
