Rio 2016 gold medalist Carolina Marin overcame her biggest setback at Paris 2024.
The Spanish women’s singles star sustained a knee injury to her right leg during the second game against China’s He Bing Jiao at the Summer Games in August.
It was the third anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury of her career; meaning that the 31-year-old couldn’t compete in the bronze medal match.
“When I broke my knee for the third time, I was convinced I was going to retire. But after a lot of reflection, I realised it would upset me if I was forced to retire through injury,” said Marin, the three-time World Champion said, in an interview with Xinhua, according to the www.bwfbadminton.com.
Bing Jiao, who eventually clinched a silver medal at Paris 2024, paid tribute to Marin on the podium by displaying a pin badge given to her by the Spanish badminton federation.
Marin is now hoping for a comeback at the European Championships in 2026.
“There’s no rush but it’s been non-stop rehab. It’s important to build up the muscles first. I go step by step; I would love to retire on the court but I’m not in a rush.”