Aussie javelin Olympian Kim Mickle’s agonising ordeal after shoulder dislocation

AUSTRALIA javelin star Kim Mickle said she had no problem with being left on the track in agony for a minute after dislocating her shoulder during a throw.

Kim Mickle of Australia is assisted by medical staff after being injured during the Women's Javelin Throw Qualifying Round on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

AUSTRALIA javelin star Kim Mickle said she had no problem with being left on the track in agony for a minute after dislocating her shoulder during a throw on Wednesday.

The bigger problem for Mickle came when she was left in agony for another three hours as doctors tried — and failed — to pop her right shoulder back in.

“Last night was pretty horrible,” Mickle said.

“They had two goes at trying to get it in. There were three doctors trying to pull and push and tug and all these sort of things.

“It was about the two minute mark where I don’t think many nice words were coming out of my mouth. I just said this is game over, you need to stop. I need to be put under or chop it off. It is pretty sore.”

Australia's Kim Mickle out of the javelin with an injury. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Mickle was taken to hospital with Australia’s team doctor and her shoulder was eventually relocated under anaesthetic.

The fact that Mickle had a shoulder reconstruction only 11 months ago was no doubt a contributing factor to her shocking injury, but the 31-year-old from Perth believes it was also one of the reasons she couldn’t get her shoulder back in.

“Unfortunately I think I rehabbed it too well, because normally a shoulder can slot back in pretty easily,” Mickle said.

“But they said because your muscles are so tight and strong around it is not going to come back in.”

There was a lot of concern about Mickle being unable to get help, and then exit the Olympic Stadium in Rio, despite being in obvious distress.

Mickle said she appreciated the fact none of the officials had an idea of the severity of her injury and that the Australian team doctor had to run from his seat and underneath the stadium to meet here in any case.

“It wasn’t long before I was in the Aussie team doctor’s hands,” Mickle said.

“I was running around like a chook with no head on for a while but by the time he went from the stands, under the tunnel and back up, I would have been in the tunnel anyway.

“It is quicker for the athletes to get off the field than the doctor to come on.”

Australia's Kimberley Mickle competes in the Women's Javelin Throw.

Mickle denied she had rushed back too early from a shoulder reconstruction, and that she felt in strong shape heading into the Olympics.

She said she’d planned to throw within herself but launch one to make the final. When she realised she needed to throw big on her third go to qualify for the final, Mickle gave it everything and her shoulder gave way.

“My shoulder was strong as an ox,” she said.

“We did all the strength tests and it was actually in really good shape. You just can’t replicate a javelin throw, especially the intensity you put in at an Olympic Games. There was certainly no way I was going to go out there and not give my best.

“It’s like rolling your ankle, once you do it once in your life you are probably doomed for the rest of your life to be a bit susceptible to it.”

Mickle is due to head home and meet her surgeon to assess whether she needs an operation.

She has no plans to retire, however, and is keen to push on towards the world championship and Commonwealth Games.

Kim Mickle of Australia.