Paris 2024: Ellen van Dijk optimistic about making Olympic Games after suffering ankle injury in training crash
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Published 28/06/2024 at 17:56 GMT
Ellen van Dijk is becoming increasingly confident of competing at Paris 2024 after taking to Instagram to update fans on her recovery process. The 37-year-old is back training indoors and is gradually increasing the intensity of her sessions in order to be fit in time. The Paris Olympics time trial takes place on July 27, as she targets a first-Olympic gold medal.
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Ellen van Dijk is increasingly optimistic about being fit for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after making good progress in her recovery from an ankle injury.
The Dutchwoman underwent surgery after fracturing her ankle in a training crash on June 3, and the time trial specialist faces a race against time to be fit.
However, she posted an upbeat update of her progress on Instagram that read: “I'm really happy I can share some good news about my recovery.
“After surgery my ankle is healing well. I'm doing two or three indoor sessions on the bike every day. Last week I got a brace which fits in my regular cycling shoe. This was a big step, because now I can increase the training.
“The next step will be to do more intervals and increase intensity. For now, I'm enjoying the progression. There is still a lot of work to do, but the hardest and most risky part of the recovery is behind me.
“I will do everything I can to make it happen.”
Van Dijk always had hope of making the Games when news of her injury and subsequent need for surgery first surfaced.
At the time in a team press release published by cyclingnews.com, she said: “Of course, I am incredibly disappointed. All my efforts are focused on the Olympics, and this is the last thing you want to happen. I am in good hands with the medical and performance staff of both Lidl-Trek and KNWU [Royal Dutch Cycling Union], and we will do everything we can to ensure I am fit at the start in Paris.”
National coach Loes Gunnewijk echoed that hope of ensuring Van Dijk had every chance of being fit, and added: “First of all, it is of course very disappointing for Ellen. The Games are extremely special and have been her goal for quite some time.
"We will support Ellen as best as possible in her road to recovery, and we will look at the options step by step. The reserves are informed, but we will make a joint decision at a later time.”
If the 37-year-old does recover in time, she will be aiming to right the wrongs of Rio 2016 when she narrowly missed out on a podium place in the time trial after finishing fourth.
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