Sacramone Injury Update: Recovering fast, now an Olympic hopeful
Early October, Alicia Sacramone contracted the worst of her gymnast luck when she ruptured her Achilles’ tendon and was forced to withdraw from the World Championships in Tokyo. However, latest updates on the injury seem positive and favour her participation
in the Olympics.
The big sister of the American National team, Sacramone, incurred the foot injury in a wrongly executed tumbling pass during training for the worlds. The subsequent surgery left the returning Olympian in a cement hold cast.
Although the walking cast is not off yet, Sacramone has taken reassurance from examples of quick and successful Achilles tendon recovery in the history of gymnastics, and picked up training again.
“It definitely eases my mind knowing that people have recovered and been able to compete,’’ said Sacramone.
The ten-time world medallist has suffered from much worse in her career, having recovered from shoulder and knee injuries in the past. Relatively, the tendon should be easier for Sacramone to cope with.
For now the Winchester native has commenced upper-body training, and also rides an exercise cycle with her uninjured leg.
The 2010 World champion on the vault chose the Steadman Clinic, Colorado, for her post-surgery recovery.
It seems to have been the right choice as Sacramone’s recovery is already ahead of schedule. She is looking forward to free her foot from the walking cast in about a week’s time.
Given the current rate of recovery, fans can expect Sacramone’s comeback in February 2012. She intends to reclaim her place on the U.S. National team and represent her country at the June National Championships in St. Louis. She also plans to take part in
the Olympic trials in San Jose.
Sacramone is driven by her thirst to prove her mettle at an Olympic level. The recovery is not the only factor exerting pressure on her in this regard.
This time around the American team holds enough places for only five representatives. Competition is thick with Olympians: Shawn Johnson, Chellsie Memmel, Bridget Sloan and all-around Olympic champion Nastia Liukin contesting for these slots.
Also contesting are the youngsters: world all-around titlist, Jordyn Wieber, and talented gymnast Alexandra Raisman.
Unlike previous short listings, this time the team will not be selected at a subsequent camp. Rather, the decision will be made at the trials, leaving even less time for Sacramone to prepare.
“There’s a little more pressure but I prefer that,’’ Sacramone said.
As far as events are concerned, Sacramone may not be ready in time for her floor routine, which may impact the selection committee’s decision in putting her through for the Olympics.
For the rest of her acts, Team Coordinator, Martha Karolyi, considers Sacramone’s previous routines to be in world-class form.
“She would not need to learn new skills,’’ said Karolyi. “The old stuff, she can get it back’’.
In 2003 World Championships, gymnast Courtney Kupets had the same misfortune of rupturing an Achilles tendon performing the tumbling pass.
Kupets had been resilient and returned to secure a team silver and a bronze for herself in 2004 Olympic Games.
The American gymnastics community is hoping for a similar, if not better, turnout from Sacramone this summer.
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