- Hurdler’s Paris dream ruined by hamstring tear
- A huge setback put his career on the track in doubt
Australian track and field star Michelle Jenneke has dispelled any doubts about her career by posting an uplifting video showing she is making a miraculous return from the serious injury that ruined her Paris Olympics campaign.
The 31-year-old bravely continued after tearing a hamstring tendon in her 100m hurdles heat in August, competing in the repechage round even though the injury caused her to suffer a huge fall when she collided with a fence.
Torn hamstrings can take up to six months to heal enough to return to normal activity, leading to fears that Jenneke’s fans may have seen the last of her on the court, but she proved otherwise this week.
The two-time Olympian posted videos on happy report, I achieved that goal just in time, December 30th!’
In a post three weeks ago, she revealed that she was running again for the first time in 14 weeks.
His optimistic words were a far cry from the emotional statement he made after the Paris disaster.
Pictured: The moment many fans thought ended Michelle Jenneke’s career when she tore her hamstring and suffered a shocking fall at the Paris Olympics.
Jenneke could not run for 14 weeks after suffering the shocking blow at the Stade de France
“Not the Olympics I dreamed they would be,” Jenneke posted.
“I felt ready to run the race of my life, but unfortunately I completely tore one of the tendons in my hamstring in my heat, causing me to hit an obstacle and take a pretty big fall.
“I was lucky to escape the fall without further injury and I am immensely proud to have turned out (today) against all the odds to finish my Olympic campaign.
‘It was about not giving up and leaving no stone unturned. “I gave it my all and it is an honor to be able to call myself a two-time Olympian.”
Fans assumed the worst and paid tribute to Jenneke’s career on social media.
“You were an inspiration, a role model and someone Australia should be proud of when it comes to representing (the nation) on the world stage,” said one follower on Instagram.
Another posted: “You always competed with a smile on your face and your positive vibes will prevail… that alone is worth it and people will remember you for that.”
A third chimed in on X: ‘You’ve made a nation proud! Thank you for all your sacrifices.’
The 31-year-old is miraculously making a comeback much sooner than expected.
The Australian, who became a global sensation for her dance moves behind the starting blocks while competing at the World Junior Championships in Barcelona in 2012, managed to come out on top in France despite her injury.
She won many admirers at the Stade de France when she was seen consoling Slovakia’s Viktoria Forster after the repechage round, as both athletes failed to progress.
As Australia’s Olympians returned home from the Games with a staggering 18 gold medals, Jenneke’s fellow athlete Genevieve Cowie and her husband were among the crowds waiting at Sydney Airport on Tuesday.
One of his signs, which read “hope you had a good trip”, was a risky joke that sparked a cheeky reaction from the hurdler on social media.
‘I have the best friends,’ she posted on her Instagram story, accompanied by a laughing emoji.