Malaika Mihambo won the silver medal at the Olympic Games, but had to seek medical attention afterwards. Now it is clear what will happen to her in 2024.
Long jump star Malaika Mihambo has cancelled her participation in the ISTAF in Berlin on Sunday. The Olympic silver medalist from Paris is ending her season early due to the consequences of her corona infection, as the organisers of the athletics meeting announced.
“The after-effects of my corona infection in June are unfortunately still noticeable. In consultation with my doctors, I have decided to end the season early. My body needs rest so that I can soon start training again full of energy and strength,” Mihambo is quoted as saying. The corona infection had slowed the 30-year-old down in her preparations for the Olympics in Paris.
Mihambo also had difficulties during the competition at the Stade de France in Paris and had to be taken out of the stadium on a mobile chair after the long jump. ARD presenter Claus Lufen and expert Frank Busemann reported in parallel in the live broadcast that Mihambo “couldn’t breathe”. Later that evening, the athlete herself explained: “The last few weeks have been difficult for me. I had really bad problems with my lungs and it wasn’t easy to get through it. It was also mentally exhausting” (read more about that here).
Despite not taking part, Mihambo will still be at the Olympic Stadium. “I know that many fans were looking forward to cheering me on at the Istaf in Berlin and celebrating my silver medal with me. That’s why I will be at the stadium on Sunday and signing autographs,” the Tokyo Olympic champion explained.
