South Africa's Caitlin Rooskrantz competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women's qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. South Africa's Caitlin Rooskrantz competes in the balance beam event of the artistic gymnastics women's qualification during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Picture: Paul Ellis / AFP
Star gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz is out of the 2024 Paris Olympics after an MRI confirmed a ligament injury in her mid-foot.
Team SA’s Rooskrantz, who was one of South Africa’s two flagbearers at the opening ceremony, injured her foot during the floor exercise competition on Sunday.
She was unable to complete the all round competition due to the injury. A team of specialists have confirmed that no surgery will be required and they are confident of full recovery after the appropriate rehabilitation.
Rooskrantz was one of the first gymnasts of colour to represent South Africa at the Olympic Games, when she made her debut at the Tokyo Olympics alongside Naveen Davies.
Rooskrantz through her career as a gymnast, has a few accolades such as bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games and a couple gold medals at the World Cup. Not being able to compete for medal in Paris after all her hard work is heartbreaking.
Rooskrantz is a big dreamer, and her love for the Springboks motivates her to keep pushing the limits.
“As an athlete, watching the Springboks succeed, it gave me a lot of pride because you get to understand the work that gets put in over the years.
SA gymnast Caitlin Rooskrantz has been forced to withdraw from the all-around competition at the Olympics after suffering an injury to her right foot during the floor exercise on Sunday. It is unclear as yet whether she will play a further part in these Games. pic.twitter.com/nOrO36voKa
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 28, 2024
No doubt, the 22-year-old Johannesburg-born athlete will be back to fight for a medal in four years time.
Meanwhile, Candice Lill Lill finished 20th in the mountain bike cross country women’s race after her rear wheel shattered during the event. Lill was well-placed for a decent performance but disaster struck on the second lap.
The 32-year-old Olympian refused to give up, however, running to the tech zone to replace the wheel and complete the race. She finished over four minutes behind home favourite Pauline Ferrand-Prevot of France.
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