Chinese pole vault star Li Ling has announced her withdrawal from the 2024 Paris Olympics following surgery for a tendon rupture, ending her bid for a fifth Olympic appearance. The athlete shared the emotional update on Sina Weibo, calling it the "first major injury" of her career.
💬 "My fifth Olympic Games has ended in advance… but who can say this won’t lead to growth too?" wrote Li, who previously competed at four Summer Games. She had aimed to break the Asian record in Paris but vowed to keep "surpassing myself" despite the setback.
🏃♀️ The national team athlete emphasized her pride in representing China, stating: "It’s my favorite thing to be on the field in the Chinese national team jersey." While she won’t compete, Li promised to support teammates remotely, adding: "This isn’t the end of my story."
📈 Sports medicine experts note tendon ruptures typically require 6-9 months recovery, making Paris’ July timeline unworkable. Fans flooded social media with 🥺 and 💪 emojis, celebrating Li’s 15-year career that includes multiple national records.
