The Great Injury Post

We've been reliably informed by the DTB (that's the German Gymnastics Federation for you) that Oksana Chusovitina was supposed to undergo surgery in the Swiss city of Basel yesterday. According to the official DTB site, Chuso has completely torn the Achilles tendon of her right leg, but hopes to be back in training by February. Now that's ambition for you.

Edited to add: The DTB reports that Chuso's operation was successful. She is expected to leave the hospital this weekend.

Meanwhile, Marie-Sophie Hindermann's injury would appear to be a bit more serious. The DTB site reports that Hindermann has a cyst and scarred tissue on her Achilles tendon. Like Chuso, she will undergo surgery in Basel, to remove the cyst and scar tissue, which is expected to make the tendon stronger. According to the DTB, Hindermann is looking at two weeks in the hospital plus a six-to-eight-month period of recovery. Ouch.


Marie-Sophie Hindermann (Photo: Lluis Gene/Getty Images)

As far as we know, the Chinese girls are still struggling as well. Chinese newspapers reported a while ago that Deng Linlin was suffering from a knee injury, while Li Shanshan was suffering from an ankle injury. Jiang Yuyuan is said to be recovering from an elbow injury. She's working out, but not at full strength.

As we reported a while ago, Team Romania is having its share of injuries too. According to Nicolae Forminte, Ana Maria Tamirjan, Gabriela Dragoi and Andreea Grigore are all unable to compete at present because of health issues. No wonder Sandra Izbasa is being kept so busy!


Andreea Grigore (Photo: Getty Images)

We're wondering now how Dasha Joura is doing, following her ordeal at the Olympics. And what about Isabelle Severino, who tore her Achilles tendon at the Europeans? Mum is the word, it seems.

Edited to add: No news on Dasha Joura, but according to the Australian Gymnastics Blog, Georgia Bonora just underwent surgery on both ankles. She's expected to be out of action for at least three months. Ouch.