Alison dos Santos suffers knee injury and will undergo surgery

Alison dos Santos, 22, suffered an injury to the lateral meniscus in her right knee. Bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and world champion in 2022, the 400 m hurdles athlete will have to undergo surgery.

Piu, as the São Paulo native Joaquim da Barra is known, felt the problem during training held in São Paulo. According to his club, Pinheiros, tests detected what in medical terms is called a “bucket handle”.

The runner has been receiving follow-up from the COB (Brazilian Olympic Committee) and made a point of thanking them for their support. There is no stipulated date for the operation, and the type of intervention to be carried out is still being discussed.

One option is to suture the meniscus, with an approximate recovery time of six months. Another is the removal of the meniscus, which would speed up the return, with recovery in less than two months, but would leave the athlete without the knee structure that works as a shock absorber and provides stability.

“Now it is necessary to treat it, right? You are connected with how life works. I thank everyone who is with me right now, sending messages, good energies, doing their best to comfort me a little in this situation”, said Alison, in video dedicated to fans.

“When you get the news, it’s a blow. But we’re planning everything right, we’re going to do everything nicely. I’m fine. We’re going to work, treat, have surgery, and life goes on. I’m going to stay focused. I have my goals this year , next year too,” he added.

Piu had set a goal for 2023 to break the world record for his race, today held by Norwegian Karsten Warholm, of 45s94. In 2022, he won the World title, in Eugene, United States, with his best mark, 46s29.

The big plan for 2024 is to arrive in good condition at the Paris Olympic Games. Elected last week as the best athlete in the country at the Brazil Olympic Awards, he works to make the injury just another barrier to be overcome.