Jamaican gymnast Danusia Francis will only be competing on the uneven bars at the Olympics following the revelation of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee. The torn ligament was discovered during an MRI examination done in the athlete’s village today.

Francis, the second gymnast to represent Jamaica at the Olympics, was expected to be competitive in the all-around competition at the Olympic Games following standout performances at the O2 Arena in London in 2019 and again in Spain in June.

However, the injury will limit her to the uneven bars where her knee will not be under duress except for the landing.

Naturally, she was devastated.

“I am really upset to have hurt myself. I have been so prepared for this competition mentally and physically up to this point, so at the last hurdle, to be hurt is disappointing,” she said.

She added that she does not know when the injury occurred but her knee had been feeling “worse and worse” as the Olympics drew closer. She said she doesn’t expect a great score in the uneven bars because she doesn’t believe she can execute a proper landing.

However, she said was proud to be representing Jamaica at the Olympics.

DOUBTFUL FOR GOLD OVER AMERICA TOUR

The injury also puts in doubt her participation in Simone Biles’ Gold Over America tour that is scheduled to get under way following the conclusion of the Olympics in August.

The tour was scheduled to take place from September to November with stops in 35 cities in the United States and was to included performances from Biles, who is considered the best gymnast of all time, Laurie Hernandez, Katelyn Ohashi, Peng Peng Lee, Morgan Hurd and Francis.

Francis said she was looking forward to flying Jamaica’s flag during the tour.

“It is such a huge deal for me, especially to be able to put Jamaica on the map like that with literally the world’s best gymnasts,” she said earlier this year.

“I am so excited just to keep proving and showing and highlighting Jamaica in the gymnastics world. So it’s not only a big deal for me but it is a big deal for Jamaica to keep showing that we are here in the gymnastics world and just stamping our place. I am excited to represent Jamaica on such an amazing stage.”