Destiny is cruel to María Vicente. She arrived in Glasgow as the world leader in pentathlon. After shining in the 60 hurdles with a time of 8.07 seconds, everything seemed to be on track for her consecration in the elite of the combined events, but destiny had other plans.
The fateful moment came in the high jump. After clearing 1.67 meters and 1.70 meters on her first attempt, during her approach on her second attempt over 1.73 meters, a searing pain tore Maria’s achilles.
😱Please no, please no…
😢María Vicente puts her hand on her Achilles tendon… I don’t like this image at all…
😔With how good the Spanish girl was #WICGlasgow2024 @wicklasgow24
🔴LIVE: pic.twitter.com/C7mFryLflB
— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) March 1, 2024
Pain and disbelief were reflected in Maria’s eyes as she lay on the mat, unable to move, caught up in a whirlwind of emotions. “No please, no please,” she whispered between sobs. María was taken away on a stretcher while the public gave her a standing ovation.