These European Championships are close to ruined for many fans now…
Cerasela Pătraşcu (ROU) has been reported to have a torn meniscus in the left knee and torn ligaments in her right knee.
Looks like it’s currently Game Over for poor Cerasela. Shit.
And in case you missed it, International Gymnast confirmed that Isabelle Severino tore her Achilles tendon–actually, prior to that, Isabelle actually FELL ON HER HEAD on a tumbling pass and reportedly left some blood on the mat.
This is terrible. I was SO looking forward to having Isabelle (and Cerasela) in Beijing. Damn, damn, damn.
UPDATE: Isabelle’s comment on her injury is heartbreaking:
Elle ne se faisait aucune illusion à son retour de l’hôpital : « C’est l’arrêt de la gym, l’arrêt des Jeux, l’arrêt de tout ce que j’avais prévu, tout s’effondre.»
(Translation: She [Severino] had no illusions on her return from the hospital: “It’s the end of gymnastics, the end of the Games, the end of everything I had planned, everything is collapsed on itself.”)
Marine Petit, one of the top French gymnasts, had this to say in the wake of the loss of their captain:
« C’est un exemple pour nous, le pilier de l’équipe. On a essayé de rester concentrées sur la compétition, même si on a eu peur pour elle »
(Translation: “[She's] an example for us, the pillar of the team. We’ve tried to stay concentrated on the competition, even if we’re scared for her.”)
I hope these very accomplished French ladies gets on that medal podium somehow, for Isabelle’s sake. Marine and Cassy Véricel are qualified to floor finals, and Pauline Morel will compete in Isabelle’s place in team finals.
