Jayce
In the women’s singles semifinal at the Paris Olympics in August, Marin suffered a knee injury after a fall during her match against China’s He Bingjiao. Overcome with emotion, she was seen crying on the court and was ultimately forced to retire from the match.
At 31 years old, Marin is a three-time World Championships gold medalist and the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist, currently ranked as the top player in women’s singles.
Three years ago, Marin was a favorite to win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but was sidelined by major injuries. In early 2019, she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee, and in May 2021, she partially tore the anterior cruciate ligament and menisci in her left knee, which led to her withdrawal from the Tokyo Olympics.
At the Paris Olympics, Marin was in outstanding form and had the opportunity to reach the finals and win her second Olympic gold medal. However, her injury cut her campaign short.
In her first interview after the Olympics, Marin discussed her injury and her future prospects. “This is the greatest blow of my entire career; I didn’t expect this at all,” said Marin, who was wearing a brace on her right leg. Her initial goal was to return to Spain with the women’s singles gold medal, but fate had other plans. “I didn’t achieve that, but without a doubt, I have gained another kind of gold medal,” referring to the immense support and love from fans worldwide. Spanish Badminton Federation President Alsoumedi even suggested on social media that the International Olympic Committee should award Marin a bronze medal, saying, “She truly deserves it.”
In the interview, Marin expressed deep gratitude towards He Bingjiao, who wore the Spanish badge on the podium during the medal ceremony. He Bingjiao explained her gesture: “…because my opponent (Marin) was injured in the semifinal, I felt heartbroken for her… She is a very excellent athlete, and I hope Marin sees this and wishes her a speedy recovery.”
Marin experienced a similar injury during the 2016 Rio Olympics but struggled to regain peak form after surgery, ultimately leading to a quiet retirement. After undergoing another surgery, the challenges of recovery are intensified due to her previous knee injuries, making retirement a real possibility. She reflected, “I don’t know if I will play again or if I can pick up a badminton racket.”
Although the prospects of a comeback seem bleak, Marin has not given up on returning to the court. She hopes to maintain her privacy during the recovery process and expresses her gratitude to fans around the world for their support.
