Surfer Jack Robinson backed despite injury scare in Tahiti days out from Olympics 2024 event
One of Australia’s biggest gold medals chances sent a major injury scare through the Olympic team after being whisked out of the water by jet ski after coming off a wave in Tahiti, but he’s sensationally backed to fire when it matters.
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Surfing Australia high performance director Kate Wilcomes says Jack Robinson’s injury won’t hinder his performance while revealing the full extent of the damage suffered on the reef of Teahupo’o.
Gold medal hope Jack Robinson has been cleared of major injury and is still set to compete in the surfing at the Olympics, after injuring his foot days out from the opening day of competition.
Robinson sent a scare through the Australian camp on Thursday (AEST) when he came off a wave and suffered cuts to his ankle.
“He is doing fine,” Wilcomes said in the aftermath.
“He did have five stitches but he will be fine to surf. He is really excited about the campaign and the first heats coming up.
“He just came off a wave and the fin landed near his ankle. There was a bit of a cut so we made sure it was all clean and the doc looked after him. He is really focused and ready to compete.”
None of the Australians chose to surf in the final training session on Friday (AEST) due to a decrease in swell on offer.
Robinson will take on French athlete Joan Duru and South African Matthew McGillivray in heat two of the opening round, expected to commence in six foot swell on Sunday (AEST).
The 26-year-old has been named as Australia’s flag bearer for a unique opening ceremony for athletes competing in Tahiti that will be held on Friday.
Teammate Molly Picklum has been chosen to pour a batch of sand from the beaches of Australia into a glass container, something each nation will do.
“I have heard it is the only time a discipline has ever had its own opening ceremony for an Olympics. It is pretty special and all the Olympians are excited to be part of it,” Wilcomes said.
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Originally published as Surfer Jack Robinson backed despite injury scare in Tahiti days out from Olympics 2024 event
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