It was a moment in which hearts stopped. The public, organizers, volunteers and even the athletes themselves who observed the moment were stunned at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, during the World Indoor Athletics Championships. It all started in French jumper Margot Chevrier’s first pole vault attempt (4.65). Suddenly, something out of all the plans happened: After flying, his body did not catapult properly to the mat and returned to the pole box area. The bad jump caused his left ankle to become imprisoned and he suffered a terrible injury. “The bone protruded above the skin,” assured coach Grant Brown.
Due to the accident, the activity had to be suspended for fifteen minutes so that Chevrier, who required oxygen, could be evacuated on a stretcher to the hospital to receive urgent orthopedic treatment. They were moments of extreme tension, because the athlete was screaming due to the pain. Even the tournament champion, the British Molly Caudery (4.80), assisted her until the locker room arrived. “She was evacuated consciously,” revealed a spokesperson for the French athletics federation.
“It was a very tough and very emotional competition. I hope the girls improve as there were some nasty injuries and falls, especially Chevrier’s. It affected me during the competition because it was very emotional, so I want to send you my love. I ended up crying with my coach. I really take on other people’s emotions. I tried to walk away and I just couldn’t. I had a minute to cry, restart and be able to win the gold,” explained Caudery, who returned to the sport after a serious injury in 2021 when he almost lost a finger during an accident in a gym that forced him to undergo surgery three times.
The French Athletics Federation issued a statement in which it gave details of the incident: “World finalist for the first time in his career, with an eighth place achieved thanks to a jump of 4.55 m, Margot Chevrier was seriously injured… suffered an open fracture of the talus.” This injury represents a major challenge for Chevrier, who must now face a recovery process with his sights set on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the main competition of the year, with the addition that it will be local.
In any case, Chevrier preferred to be filled with optimism and shared in Instagram an update on his status, including a photograph of his ankle in a cast, where he promised his followers his participation in Paris 2024 despite the obstacles: “Open fracture of the talus. First operation tomorrow morning, second in France. Whatever it takes. Paris 2024, I will be there.” He also posted a selfie from the hospital where he thanked his fans for the love and support he received during the most difficult moment of his career.
Chevrier’s Instagram post
