Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar injured and will miss Paris Olympics 2024
The Asian Games and CWG medallist injured his knee during training, requiring surgery
image for illustrative purpose
Indian long jumper Murali Sreeshankar's Paris Olympics dream has crashed. The athlete sustained an injury during training and is looking at a long road ro recovery, needing surgery too.
Murali shared the news of his injury on social media and said it was a nightmare to come to terms with the fact that his Olympic dream of 2024 is over. "All my life, I've had the courage to look at a setback in the eye, accept situations I can't change, and work hard at dictating the outcomes of those I can. Unfortunately, in what feels like a nightmare, but is a reality, my Paris Olympic Games dream is over," he said in the post.
The long jumper, who won the silver medal at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games in Hangzhou, said he is now left with no choice but to accept the situation and move on. "To wake up healthy every single day and watch yourself get into the best shape of your life, is every athlete's dream. I was living it until this incident. Life writes strange scripts, and sometimes there is courage in accepting it and moving on. That's what I will do," he added.
The 25-year-old was in good form leading to the Paris Olympics and confirmed his place at the quadrennial event when he breached the qualifying mark of 8.27m at the Asian Athletics Championships, recording a jump of 8.37m, just short of his personal best of 8.41m.
He said his road to recovery started the minute he injured his knee and said he needed positive energy. He said he follows the 'Mamba Mentality', where he strives to be the best version of himself evertime. "My journey to a comeback began the minute I injured my knee. This road is going to be long and difficult, and it will take a lot out of me. The good thing is, I have a lot to give. I will overcome this, because that's what Mamba Mentality is all about. I will need your prayers, love and positive energy. I may jump alone, but it takes a collective push before every leap. This is my biggest one yet," he added.
Apart from the Olympics, Murali will also miss the Diamond League and other continental events, focusing on his recovery.
Meanwhile, top officials of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) have been in touch with the long jumper. The officials and the medical team have assured the athlete of all support in the diagnosis and treatment of his knee injury as well as rehabilitation.
Sreeshankar has already consulted Dr Dinshaw Pardiwala, a member of the Central Core Team of the Central Athlete Injury Management System, and will proceed as per the advice of the doctor and the medical team.
