Renee Eykens has announced that she will have her torn Achilles tendon operated on Wednesday. The 800-meter runner sustained the injury on Sunday at the Belgian Championships and will miss the Olympic Games. “The Olympic dream I worked for for years is gone. But I want to be back as soon as possible.”
Eykens wept tears when she was injured in the King Baudouin Stadium. Of the pain, but also of the realization that the Games were gone. She had a good chance of placing herself there thanks to her ranking.
Two days later, she took the time to thank everyone for the support and loving messages: “I’m devastated and can’t find the words to describe how I feel…”
“We’ve worked so hard over the past few years to get to my 2nd Olympics and now that dream is gone…”
Eykens is not alone in this difficult time: “I feel blessed to have my friends and family around me, as well as my entire team. I am grateful to everyone who has assisted me on this bumpy road.”
“It will take some time, but I am very motivated to get back there as soon as possible. It will be a long road, but I don’t have to walk it alone.”
However, she still believes in her athletic future: “I’m not done with it yet. I’ll be back.”