‘She shouldn’t be on TV’: Genevieve Gregson breaks Australia’s heart all over again

Just two days ago, Genevieve Gregson’s devastating injury ripped our heart out. Her heartbreaking interview just did it again.

Aussie 3000m Steeplechase runner Genevieve Gregson has given an emotional interview just days after her horror Achilles injury.

The 32-year-old fell on the last water jump of the Steeplechase final and was quickly picked up by the medical staff, leaving the stadium with a ruptured Achilles. And it was her birthday.

Devastatingly, it was her right Achilles, with Gregson having come into the Olympics with issues with her left Achilles.

Speaking on Friday night, Gregson was clearly still heartbroken, but vowed not to be finished competing for Australia.

“It’s raw, it’s hard. I’m not okay yet but I will be,” she said. “I haven’t spoken to many people so that’s why I’m a bit vulnerable right now but I’ll be happy soon. Just getting through it.”

Gregson said her friends, family and her husband were all hurting with her, but she said the reaction from the Australian public had “been insane”.

She said her left Achilles had been causing her issues since Rio and she had been compensating by putting extra pressure on her right side.

She said “something had to give” — unfortunately it was during the Olympic final that it finally gave way.

This is one of the most gutting moments of the Olympics.

When Gregson grabbed her ankle she felt there was no tendon and “just laid there in disbelief but I almost expected it”.

As for what’s next, Gregson said she wanted to continue to represent Australia and may even look at stepping up to the marathon.

But first, she has a long recovery to come.

“It’s looking like I’m not just going to get one Achilles fixed I’m going to try and go for both which means the next year ahead of me is pretty brutal,” she said. “I’ll be wheelchair-bound for a while but (her husband) Ryan is on his way home and I’ll meet him in Singapore and we’ll work out a plan from there and it will be a good one because we’re a good team and I wouldn’t have come this far without him.

“I’m just ready to find a plan for the next year or so because I don’t feel like I’m done yet. I love the roads. I think I’ve got a lot to give in the marathon or just in road running in general and I’m such a proud Australian athlete. I just couldn’t imagine a setback like this tearing me away from the sport. I don’t see it that way.”

It was a heartbreaking interview as Gregson struggled to hold her composure as the injury was still so raw.

These were tragic scenes.

Social media was heartbroken all over again with some saying that she shouldn’t have been interviewed at all.

Aussie Gen Gregson clearly wasn't up for an interview yet, so why on earth did 7 make her do one?

"I'm not OK yet but I will be. I haven't spoken to many people so that's why I'm a bit vulnerable right now but I'll be happy soon. Just getting through it."

— @MartySilk (@MartySilkHack) August 6, 2021

Omg. This interview with Gen Gregson, heartbreaking.
I’ve ruptured an Achilles tendon and it is a demoralising rehabilitation journey. I can’t imagine what it’s like for a world class athlete.
So great for her to still speak to the media amidst her anguish.

— Casey Conway (@caseyconway_) August 6, 2021

What a brave soul Genevieve Gregson #OlympicGames incredible

— kelly fuller (@kelfuller) August 6, 2021

Oh man Genevieve Gregson. She shouldn’t be on TV, she’s so distraught. Bless her. #7Olympics#Tokyo2020

— Jason Whittaker (@thetowncrier) August 6, 2021

This chat with Gen Gregson on Ch7 is absolutely heartbreaking. Voice breaking, you can hear the tears as she talks. 💔💔💔💔

— Brittany Mitchell (@BrittMitchell11) August 6, 2021