By Angelica Medina
PARIS (Reuters) – Mexican gymnast Natalia Escalera was in tears after her uneven bars performance as she fulfilled her dream of competing at the Paris Games, having risked everything to complete her routine in the qualifiers with an foot injury.
Escalera, who got the third Mexican gymnast berth for the Games at last year’s World Championships in Antwerp, revealed on social media she tore the plantar ligament in her left foot, where she already had a calf tear, during training on Saturday.
She said doctors advised her not to compete, but she was determined to take part on Sunday.
“At first I made the decision not to participate because of the injury, but something in my heart made me go out to try one more time and on the way to the arena I decided to do bars,” she said on TikTok on Monday.
“I knew it was a risk, but being on such a big stage is an awesome painkiller. In the end I managed to do my routine. No one forced me to compete, it was my own decision and today I can say that I am an Olympic gymnast.”
Escalera managed to get a 12.800, the best score of the Mexican team on the uneven bars on Sunday, but failed to qualify for the finals.
After the dismount, she could not hold back the pain and tears came as she needed the help of one of the team’s coaches to leave the arena to the applause of her teammates and the crowd.
“I want to thank you for all the good comments you guys have had towards me and my participation in the Games,” the gymnast said on TikTok.
(Reporting by Angelica Medina; Editing by Alison Williams)
Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibilty for its content.