Aussie hurdler famous for warmup dance set to undergo surgery following Olympic fall

Aussie hurdler famous for warmup dance set to undergo surgery following Olympic fall

Festus Chuma 18:05 - 19.08.2024

Weeks after a severe fall during the Paris Olympics the well-known Australian hurdler is set to undergo critical surgery.

Aussie hurdler Michelle Jenneke has returned to Canberra and is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday due to a severe injury sustained during her dramatic fall at the Paris Olympics.

The incident occurred on August 7 during the women’s 100-meter hurdles race, where Jenneke tripped over a hurdle and fell hard onto the track.

Despite the painful ordeal, Jenneke managed to get up and finish the race, narrowly avoiding a 'Did Not Finish' (DNF) status.

By crossing the finish line, she remained eligible for the race’s repechage round—a new opportunity this year for athletes who did not automatically advance to the semifinals.

The 31-year-old, widely recognized for her vibrant pre-race dance routines that went viral years ago, posted about her upcoming surgery on her Instagram page.

"Surgery tomorrow to attach that pesky hamstring back on to the bone. The journey back starts now," Jenneke wrote.

Despite undergoing medical tests that confirmed a ruptured hamstring tendon, Jenneke courageously lined up again for the repechage round on August 8.

Competing under considerable physical strain, she managed a time of 13.86 seconds.

Although this was an improvement of seven seconds from her initial race, it was not enough to see her through to the semifinals.

Jenneke’s fall and subsequent push to compete have captured the attention of millions worldwide.

A video capturing the incident and her valiant finish garnered many views on YouTube, with extensive media coverage following her every step.

The period leading up to the 2023 Olympics had been a high point in Jenneke's career, with the athlete recording the ten fastest times of her life.

In 2023 alone, she finished with sub-13-second times in 14 different races, underscoring her status as a top contender in the sport.

Born on June 23, 1993, in Kenthurst, New South Wales, Jenneke began her athletics journey under the guidance of coach Mick Zisti at the tender age of 10.

Her athletic prowess was not confined to the track; she also excelled in European handball, futsal, soccer, and touch football during her school years.

The surgery Jenneke faces is a critical step in her recovery process, one that she approaches with the same spirit and resilience she has shown throughout her career.

The sports community, along with her fans around the globe, eagerly await her return to the track, hopeful for yet another comeback from an athlete who has repeatedly demonstrated her strength and determination against the odds.

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