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Olympics games are brimming with tales of triumph and heartbreak. While defeat stings, the agony of an injury that ends an athlete’s participation is even more profound. 

 

Such was the fate of Natalia Escalera, Mexico’s top gymnast and the 2021 Pan American Championship gold medalist, whose Olympic dreams were shattered on Day 2.

 

Escalera was reduced to tears as she fought through the pain of a torn ligament to represent her country at the Olympics. The 22-year-old refused to withdraw from the Games despite partially tearing the plantar tendon in her left foot earlier this month.

 

Escalera’s injury prevented her from competing in all of the women’s artistic all-around gymnastics events on Sunday. 

 

Escalera, competing alongside teammates Alexa Moreno and Ahtziri Sandoval, was excelling on the uneven bars. Moreno, making her Olympic debut, earned a commendable 12.633, while Sandoval and Escalera scored 12.266 and 12.800, respectively. 

 

The team was performing well, and all seemed under control until a devastating injury struck during her routine, forcing her out of the 2024 Olympics.

 

However, she was cleared by Mexico’s team doctor to deliver her routine on the uneven bars, where she managed to record a score of 12.800.

 

Moments after her dismount, Escalera began to cry from the agony caused by her foot injury and needed help from her coach to leave the competition area. 

 

She was clearly in a huge amount of pain as she was picked up and carried to a chair after being left barely able to walk.

 

Who is Natalia Escalera?

 

Escalera’s gymnastics journey started at the tender age of 8. She began training under the watchful eyes of coach Pavel Oceguera. Under his guidance,

 

She blossomed into a world-class gymnast and Mexico’s Olympic hope. She rose to prominence in the 2021 Pan American Championship, claiming team silver and individual gold in the vault. But that was just the beginning; Escalera continued her gymnastics brilliance through 2022, claiming an all-around silver medal at the Mexican Championships.

 

Her exemplary feats continued in 2023 as well, culminating in the bronze medal at the 2023 Pan American Games — a well-deserved win that saw her secure a birth to the Paris Olympics. 

 

Escalera’s reaction after winning the spot at the Paris Olympics was full of emotions. Unfortunately, Escaler’s dream run at the Olympics ended abruptly. Here’s how the event unfolded.