Brazilian gymnast Flavia Saraiva dusted herself off after a huge fall to win a bronze medal at the Olympics.
The 24-year-old was warming up on the uneven bars before the artistic gymnastics team final in the Paris on Tuesday when she slipped during a swing and crashed to the floor.
Saraiva landed hard with her knee hitting her face and stayed down momentarily before she rolled out of the way to allow her teammates to continue warming up.
Brazil’s coach checked on her briefly before the medical team patched up the bleeding cut above her right eye, which was immediately swollen.
‘She left to get medical attention but she is back,’ said Rich Lerner, a commentator for United States broadcaster NBC. ‘She’s tough.’
Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez added: ‘There is nothing worse than not just falling in warm-ups but blanking out and having that moment replay in your mind right before competing.’
Speaking about her injury, Saravia said: ‘I could not see, it bled, but the team’s doctor told me everything was all right.
‘I believe my knee hit my eye when I tripped. It’s not the first time it happened to me. We are warriors.’
After being treated by medical staff, Saravia went on to compete and did not suffer any more falls as she helped Brazil register a total score of 164.497 – which pipped Team GB to the bronze medal.
‘When I realized I was on the floor, lying down with my knee in my face. I just rolled over so Rebeca could warm up,’ Saraiva told Globo after the event.
‘I said, ‘guys, where am I?’. Then Chico said, ‘it’s bleeding, it’s bleeding’. I put my hand on my face and my eye was bleeding, I didn’t understand anything. Then he asked if I was warm. Then I said, ‘now I’m awake’.’
Saraiva is competing in the third Olympics of her career. Her best result before the bronze medal was fifth place on the balance beam in 2016.
The United States, led by Simone Biles, won gold with a total of 171.296.
Biles is now the the most decorated Olympic gymnast in United States’ history with eight gold medals.
Italy won their first silver medal in the event since 1928, while Brazil won their first-ever team medal.
Brazil’s team also included Rebeca Andrade, Jade Barbosa, Lorrane Oliveira, and Julia Soares.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
MORE : Olympics schedule and results: Polluted River Seine passed fit to host triathlon as day five begins
MORE : When does Andy Murray play Olympic doubles quarter-final with Dan Evans?
MORE : Andy Murray in ‘happy tears’ as thrilling Olympic win slams brakes on retirement
Share your story or advertise with us: Whatsapp: +2347068606071 Email: info@newspotng.com
