Murali Sreeshankar Pulls Out Of Paris 2024: Indian Long Jumper's Olympic Dream Comes Crashing Due To Injury

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In a jolt to Indian Athletics, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar on Thursday (April 18) announced he will not be participating in the Paris Olympics after he sustained an injury during practice on Tuesday (April 16).

Sreeshankar has excluded himself from the entire 2024 season due to a knee injury necessitating surgery. Sreeshankar conveyed the news through his social media platform and said unfortunately, in what feels like a nightmare but is indeed reality, as his dream of competing in the Paris Olympic Games has been shattered.

A disheartened Sreeshankar wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "All my life, l have had the courage to look at a setback in the eye, accept situations I can't change and work hard at dictating the outcomes of those I can. Unfortunately, in what feels like a nightmare, but is a reality, my Paris Olympic Games dream is over."

Sreeshankar had clinched a quota for Paris 2024 by surpassing the men's long jump Olympic qualifying standard of 8.27m at the Asian Athletics Championships 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand, last year, recording 8.37m to secure silver.

In his announcement, Sreeshankar also revealed that after undergoing multiple tests and consultations, it has been decided that the Indian athlete will require surgery, effectively ruling him out for the entire 2024 season.

The 25-year-old Sreeshankar had an exceptional 2023 season. Alongside his silver and quota at the Asian Championships, he also clinched a silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year and attained his personal best of 8.41m, falling just 0.1m short of Jeswin Aldrin's national record, at the Indian Open Jumps Championships.

He also competed at the Budapest World Athletics Championships last year and qualified for the Diamond League Finals in Eugene. Sreeshankar was slated to commence his 2024 campaign with the Shanghai/Suzhou leg of the Diamond League series on April 27 before participating in the Doha leg on May 10.

Despite the setback, Sreeshankar, who also participated in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, aims to remain optimistic and pledged to return stronger.

"This road is going to be long, difficult and will take a lot out of me. The good thing is, I have a lot to give. I will overcome this because that's what Mamba Mentality is all about. I will need your prayers, love and positive energy. I may jump alone, but it takes a collective push before every leap," Sreeshankar concluded.