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The semifinals of the women’s singles badminton event at the Paris Olympics 2024 saw a heartbreaking moment unfold as former Olympic champion Carolina Marin was forced to withdraw in tears after injuring her right knee.
Marin, the gold medalist from the 2016 Rio Olympics, was leading 10-6 in the second game after winning the first and seemed poised to advance to the final. However, tragedy struck midway through the second game against China's He Bingjiao when Marin collapsed on the court. She lay on the ground, clutching her leg in pain.
Though Marin managed to get up and resume play with a knee support, she was clearly struggling and could barely move. Two points in, she collapsed again and ultimately retired from the match.
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Following Carolina Marin’s devastating injury, fans, former players, and various authorities took to social media to express their sympathies and discuss the harsh realities of sports. Many also wished the Spanish shuttler a speedy recovery.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez wrote the Spanish shuttler a heartfelt message on social media.
"You are and always will be a champion. All of Spain is with you," he wrote.
"Mentality Monster. The person who really owns this phrase: Carolina Marin 2 ACL injuries one in both knee, missing the Tokyo Olympics & then staging a superhuman comeback at the circuit with a at WC, winning the European games & championship title. End,” another fan wrote.
“Heart of a great champion, Carolina Marin chose to walk out of the Olympics court on her own terms and refused the wheelchair. One of the greatest of all time in Badminton,” wrote a fan.
The two-time Olympic medalist from India, PV Sindhu, who went down against Marin in a thrilling final at the 2016 Rio Olympics, penned a heartfelt message for the Spanish shuttler.
“To one of my greatest rivals and dearest friends on the tour, Carolina Marin, I am sending all the positive energy in the world your way. You were playing a phenomenal match, and I was deeply rooting for you!
"Deep down, I believe there was no player on tour I hated playing against more than you. Your willpower, sheer determination, and uncanny ability to put players under pressure are unmatched.
"Knowing you and your willpower, it's only a matter of time, buddy! Just know I will always be your biggest supporter,” she wrote on Instagram.
Here are some more fan reactions to Marin’s unfortunate end at the Paris Olympics 2024:
"That has to be one of the most heartbreaking few minutes of sport I have ever seen," another fan wrote.
Sindhu ends run in the pre-quarterfinals at the Paris Olympics 2024
After a brilliant start to the tournament, where she beat Maldives’ Fathimath Nabaaha Abdul Razzaq and Estonia’s Kristina Kuuba with ease, Sindhu faced a tough challenge in the form of He Bing Jiao in the knockout stages.
Despite an outstanding first game where Sindhu narrowly went down 19-21, she could only manage to make 14 points in the next game to end her campaign and hopes of three consecutive medals at the quadrennial games.
