After every age group competition I check on injury trends. Talking to the medical staff on site is usually the best way to get a feel for what happened.
What about the World Championships?
Some called it a “Splatfest” … I think that’s a bit too harsh.
The first thing you need tell a non-gymnast about Artistic Gymnastics is that it’s difficult. Second, that it’s dangerous.
We saw a lot of falls like this …
Yang Yilin of China tumbles as she dismount from the uneven bars during the World Gymnastics Championships women’s all-around final at the O2 Arena in London, Friday, Oct. 16, 2009
(AP Photo/Matt Dunham) – ESPN
Most gymnasts pick themselves up. And go on. They are tough as any athlete anywhere.
Reuters published an article on the dangers:
The risks faced by young gymnasts in the chase for medals were again highlighted on Sunday when Jessica Gil Ortiz‘s bid to win the floor exercise title ended painfully with a suspected neck injury.
The 19-year-old Colombian was attempting to finish off a high-flying tumbling sequence with a double front somersault when she banged her head at an uncomfortable angle, hushing almost 12,000 fans at the O2 Arena into silence. …
Reports are that the injury turned out to be not serious. (Jessica trains at Universal Gymnastics in Miami.)
Other athletes injured in London include Fabian Hambuechen (GER) and Shona Morgan (AUS). Leave a comment if you know of others who withdrew from competition.
Shona had a dislocated kneecap. No ligament damage. That’s good news too.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 