Reigning Olympic triple jump champion Yulimar Rojas has suffered a devastating blow to her career, as she has torn her Achilles tendon and will miss the Paris 2024 Games. The 28-year-old Venezuelan underwent surgery in Madrid on Thursday after sustaining the injury during a training jump in Spain.
Rojas, who won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and the gold medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021, expressed her heartbreak in a statement on social media. “My heart is broken and I want to say sorry that I will not be able to take part in Paris 2024,” she wrote.
The injury occurred as Rojas landed from a training jump, causing intense pain. The diagnosis confirmed a tear to her left Achilles tendon. Rojas is also the world record holder in the event with a jump of 15.74m in 2022 and was voted the World Athlete of the Year for women’s field events last year.
The news has sent shockwaves through the athletics world, as Rojas was a hot favorite to retain her Olympic title in Paris. In Venezuela, she is a national heroine, with her face adorning frescoes and commercials. She is the only woman and the only track and field athlete to win Olympic gold for her country.
Fellow Venezuelan athletes and officials have expressed their support for Rojas. Ruben Limardo, a fencing gold medalist in London 2012, said, “Yuli, every step we take, we will do so in thinking that you are with us in body, soul, and heart. Warrior, you can rise and fly again.”
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro also offered his support, saying, “All my love, my solidarity, my support. We love you and we know your commitment and your discipline. You are a warrior of life, an example for young people.”
Rojas’s injury is a reminder of the fragility of athletic careers and the challenges that athletes face in pursuing their dreams. Despite the setback, Rojas remains an inspiration to her fans and her country. Her determination and resilience will undoubtedly guide her through this difficult time.
