Carolina Marin Faces Heartbreak in Olympic Badminton Semi-Final

In a heartbreaking scene at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Spanish badminton star Carolina Marin suffered a severe knee injury during her semi-final match against He Bingjiao from China. The crowd watched in shock as Marin, who was striving for a comeback, collapsed after landing awkwardly on her surgically repaired knee.

The match took a devastating turn when Marin, leading with 10-6 in the second game and already having taken the first game 21-14, fell to the ground. Her emotional cry of ‘oh no’ echoed through the arena as her opponent signaled for assistance.

With years of injuries behind her, including two serious knee surgeries, Marin felt the gravity of the moment. Despite the pain, she tried to continue playing but struggled to move, eventually falling to the floor again in visible distress. Tears streamed down her face as she pounded the court in frustration, garnering sympathy and applause from the crowd.

Marin’s coach, Fernando Rivas, quickly rushed to her side, but there was nothing he could do. In a heart-wrenching moment, he gently cradled her head while the medical team arrived to assist her. The crowd stood in solidarity, applauding as Marin tried to regain her composure.

After receiving attention, she managed to get to her feet and walked off the court, refusing a wheelchair. However, Rivas later revealed that Marin told him, ‘It’s broken,’ showcasing her deep understanding of the injury she had just sustained.

Marin’s opponent, He Bingjiao, expressed her sadness over the incident, stating, ‘I feel very sad about what happened.’ She emphasized Marin’s skill and determination, calling for her to overcome the setback once again.

Political figures also took notice, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reaching out on social media, stating, ‘You are and always will be a champion.’ Their support reflects the admiration and respect for Marin’s journey and her contributions to the sport.

As for the finals, He Bingjiao is set to compete against South Korea’s An Se-young, but the atmosphere remains heavy with concern over the injured star.