German gymnasts deeply affected as Dauser suffers severe injury
Lukas Dauser drops out of Olympic trials due to injury, landing him in the hospital with potential severe damage. With the title of Germany's Athlete of the Year on the line, there's speculation over whether Dauser needs to abandon his Olympic aspirations. The hasty exit of Dauser casts a shadow over Timo Eder's accomplishments.
Exiting through a back door at the Rhine-Neckar Arena in Rüsselsheim, Dauser's right upper arm was swathed in bandages, evidence of his misfortune during rings training for the Olympic Games qualification. After just two of six apparatuses, he was forced to quit the competition, leaving coach Valeri Belenki in a state of worry: Will Germany's Sportsman of the Year be forced to retire his Olympic dreams?
"It's hit him harder than me, but I'll be honest, it gave me quite a shock," commented Andreas Toba at the moment Dauser let go of the rings and stepped down. While the 33-year-old, who has dealt with numerous injuries himself, offered support to his longtime teammate, world bar champion Dauser was en route to Mainz hospital for comprehensive examinations. An MRI was meant to shed light on the extent of the injury. No diagnosis was available until late Saturday evening.
Belenki has his suspicions
Since he had experienced it himself in 2001, coach Belenki had a suspicion about the type of injury that his leading gymnast might have sustained. "I think it was the long biceps tendon," said the 54-year-old. He had torn that tendon himself, and had intended to compete the following day, but it didn't pan out. Dauser, reportedly, was devastated by this. "I spoke to him, and he doesn't understand how it could have happened," reported the trainer.
The Olympic champion from 1992 faced a dilemma during the nomination meeting on Sunday. What to do without his golden Olympic contender? "I certainly have a Plan B, and then we'll have to discuss it if Lukas can't make it," said Belenki.
Eder also feels the impact
Two weeks prior at the German Championships in Frankfurt/Main, Dauser had secured the multi-event title and the first Olympic qualification. He had stated that he would only compete in a maximum of three six-event competitions in his athletic career: in Rüsselsheim and at the Olympic Games. It seems unlikely that this will happen. The Underhaching resident will not even train rings if the injury is less serious.
The injury exit of Dauser overshadowed Timo Eder's victories. The 19-year-old from Ludwigsburg won the qualification and can nurture legitimate Olympic hopes. However, he also was not immune to the impact of what occurred to the Olympic silver medalist. "I was very shaken. I was even a bit disoriented myself because he's an important part of the team," said the newcomer.
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Despite the setback, Dauser's dream of becoming Germany's Athlete of the Year remains alive, as the injury ruling doesn't necessarily mean an end to his Olympic aspirations. However, the severe injury has led to a silence in the gymnastics community, with Turner expressing his deep concern and offering support.
