Nairobi: Two-time Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha has undergone surgery in Eldoret, Kenya after sustaining a fracture in his ankle last week. The injury is expected to sideline the world record-holder for at least 12-16 weeks.
According to a statement issued by his management company, the surgery was carried out by Kenyan team doctor and orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Victor Bargoria.
“We were able to perform the operation today and the athlete will spend the night for further observations tomorrow,” Victor Bargoria, said, adding it would be 16 weeks before he was able to start training again.
On May 19, Rudisha, who won the 2012 London Olympics in a world record time of 1:40.91, twisted his left ankle at his rural home in Kilgoris, Narok County, according to World Athletics.
During a walk on the compound, the 31-year-old stepped on uneven ground and initially believed it was not a serious injury. He continued with exercises that wouldn't cause further harm to his ankle but after a lack of improvement over the weekend, he underwent an examination and was diagnosed with an ankle fracture at St. Luke's hospital in Eldoret.
According to Bargoria, Rudisha suffered a left ankle fracture (Supination External Rotation) which was fixated with a 1/3rd tubular plate and 3.5mm screws.
Rudisha, who is targeting a third Olympic appearance next year, was on track for a comeback after a recurrent knee injury prevented him from competing in the Doha world championships last September. Rudisha missed out a full year between 2013 and 2014 as a result of the leg injury.
He last competed in July 2017 when he sustained a muscle pull in training ahead of that year's World Championships.
