Chinese pole vaulter Li Ling has announced that she will not be participating in the upcoming 2024 Paris Summer Olympics due to a tendon injury that required surgery. Li shared the news with her fans on Tuesday through the social media platform Sina Weibo, expressing her disappointment and resolve.
“My fifth Olympic Games has ended in advance because of this unexpected injury,” Li wrote in her post. “I wanted to go for the Asian record in Paris, but I won’t be able to do that. Competing at the past four editions of the Olympic Games led to growth for myself each time.”
Li, a seasoned athlete who has represented China in four previous Olympic Games, reflected on her journey and the significance of wearing the national team jersey. “It’s my favorite thing to do to be on the field in Chinese national team jersey,” she added. “But who can say that suffering the first major injury of my career this time won’t lead to growth as well?”
Despite the setback, Li Ling remains optimistic and determined. She insisted that she won’t give up on her goal of surpassing herself and is committed to supporting her teammates as they prepare for Paris. “I will continue to cheer for my teammates in Paris,” she affirmed.
Li’s absence from the Paris Olympics is a significant loss for the Chinese athletics team, as she had been aiming to break the Asian record. Her resilience and positive outlook serve as an inspiration to many, highlighting the spirit of perseverance in the face of adversity.
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Chinese pole vaulter Li Ling pulls out of Paris Olympics after surgery
cgtn.com
