Pole vaulter Margot Chevrier gives update after horror leg break leaves star screaming in pain at World Athletics Champs
THE World Athletics Indoor Championships were halted after pole vaulter Margot Chevrier suffered a sickening ankle break that left her “bone sticking out”.
French medal hopeful Chevrier was in action in the final in Glasgow.
Attempting her second clearance of the night, at 4.65m, Chevrier failed to get over the bar.
But, rather than falling forwards, the 24-year-old instead plunged back into the box, where her pole is pitched in the run-up.
And Chevrier was left screaming in pain after an awkward landing saw her suffer a fracture of the talus bone in the ankle joint.
Coach Grant Brown said that Chevrier’s “bone was sticking out”.
As medics rushed over, she was given oxygen before being carried away on a stretcher.
Concerned fans at the Commonwealth Arena applauded as she appeared to gesture a love heart to supporters.
A statement on social media from the French athletics federation said: “Cruel outcome for Margot Chevrier in the pole vault final. She fell into the barrier and, conscious, was evacuated from the track on a stretcher.”
Chevrier was then rushed to hospital in Glasgow for emergency treatment.
And she took to Instagram on Saturday night to give fans an update as she faces a race against time to be fit for her home Olympics this summer.
One photo of her left ankle completely bandaged up was captioned in French: “Open fracture of the ankle talus. First operation tomorrow morning, the second in France. It will take what it takes. Paris 2024, I will be there.”
Chevrier had also written “Paris ’24 I’ll jump” on her thigh in a motivational message to herself.
She later posted a selfie in her hospital gown as she thanked fans for their messages of support.
The action was halted for around 15 minutes as she received urgent treatment on the gruesome injury.
British athlete Molly Caudery won gold in the final once it had resumed.
The Cornish athlete, 23, cleared 4.80m – the same height as Kiwi rival and training partner Eliza McCartney – but ended up with top spot due to countback rules.
Ecstatic Caudery – who now heads to the Paris 2024 Olympics with strong hopes of winning a medal – could not hold back the waterworks as she secured her maiden global gold.
The world leader was also in tears after witnessing the sickening injury for Chevrier.
Caudery said: “That was a real tough time. It made it difficult for everyone. Pole vault is such an emotional journey.
“I feel people’s emotions quite a lot. Margot did her ankle. After her jump, I was crying to my coach, I felt so bad for her.
“I had to regroup after that and execute my jumps. I’m very proud of myself.
“It was an absolutely crazy competition. It’s an indescribable feeling.
“Especially in front of a home crowd because you know you have the whole nation behind you. You’re sharing that with them and they’re proud of you. It’s the best feeling.”