Australia’s Genevieve Gregson has thanked all of her supporters in an emotional tribute as she prepares for surgery on a ruptured Achilles tendon in her right leg.
Gregson earlier this month at the Tokyo Olympics was within sight of the finish of the 3000m steeplechase, before she fell at the final water hurdle, suffering a long-term Achilles injury.
The Australian, who was celebrating her 32nd birthday on the day she was injured, was taken away in a wheelchair as fans anxiously watched on back home.
Gregson took to social media today to thank her fans, but at the same time revealed the brutal mental toll the injury had caused.
“Surgery day. Today is the first step to recovery. Mentally I have been healing every day and finding peace in each night I go to sleep,” Gregson wrote on Instagram.
“I still wake up anxious and a bit worried of the uncertainty ahead.
“I still cry from time to time, I do often wish this journey looked much different, and I constantly daydream about being able to walk out the door for a run.
“Yet amongst these negative thoughts, my day is outweighed by all the wonderful, supportive and loving messages and gestures I have received.
“I have infinite thank yous still to send out to all the people that have made it their job to check in.
“Thanks to everyone, this next step is less daunting than when I faced it a week ago. So in saying this, I’m as ready as I ever will be. Let’s get this Achilles reattached!”
Gregson is a three-time Olympian, having competed at London, Rio and Tokyo.
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