SportsRio OlympicsOlympic GymnasticsSamir Aït Said

The Olympic Gymnast Whose Leg Snapped Is Already Walking Again

Here’s to wishing Samir Aït Said a full and speedy recovery.
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By 

Sports Department Intern, The Huffington Post

Samir Aït Said, the French Olympic gymnast who suffered a stomach-churning double leg break Saturday, is already back on his feet and taking the first steps toward recovery. 

Said was participating in the men’s qualification round at the 2016 Rio Olympics when he sustained the gruesome leg injury. After he somersaulted over the vault, Said landed on his leg, instantly breaking his tibia and fibula. The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the sound of Said’s leg snapping could be heard in the live coverage of the event.

Now, six days after the incident, Said is back on feet following surgery. Although he needs the help of a walking frame to support his weight, the Frenchman appeared to be in good spirits. 

Since his injury, USA today reported that Said has been receiving overwhelming support from fans all over the world. One of those fans was USA basketball player Paul George, who experienced a similar freak accident when he broke his leg during a USA team exhibition game in August, 2014.

According to French gymnastics journalist Anouk Corge, Said plans to return to gymnastics and compete in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. 

“[Said] says he will be back stronger than ever for Tokyo in four years time,” Corge told USA Today. “He said that even with what happened, he feels that 26 is to young for him personally to stop competing in gymnastics.”

Here’s to wishing Said a full and speedy recovery. 

 

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Before You Go

Photos That Prove Olympic Gymnasts Are Actually Just Real Life Superheroes
When Simone Biles performed this mind-boggling sorcery.(01 of21)
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(credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
When Gabby Douglas casually did this upside-down split thingy like it was no big deal.(02 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When Madison Kocian straight-up touched the back of her head WITH HER FOOT. HOLY CRAP.(03 of21)
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(credit:Ian MacNicol via Getty Images)
When Aly Raisman demonstrated that walking in a straight line is so pointless when you can just handspring to your destination.(04 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When someone called Simone's name and she flipped around like, "Who? Me?"(05 of21)
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(credit:AFP via Getty Images)
When Gabby proved that being little spoon is so much cooler when you're in the air.(06 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When Madison got everyone to play limbo at her party, but she was so good, it was unfair.(07 of21)
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(credit:ANDY BUCHANAN via Getty Images)
When Aly chilled out and took a seat ... FLOATING UPSIDE DOWN. BECAUSE SHE IS A WIZARD.(08 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When Simone was told to take a seat and was like, "OK!" and then snapped into this magnificent pose.(09 of21)
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(credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
When Aly walked into the club and danced so gloriously only an actual goddess could possibly move like that.(10 of21)
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(credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
When Aly felt cold and wrapped her arms around herself for warmth, you know ... the way normal people do. EXCEPT NOT. HOLY COW.(11 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When Simone pretty much DEFIED GRAVITY UPSIDE DOWN.(12 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When Laurie Hernandez didn't want to step in a puddle and nonchalantly jumped over it like it was nothing.(13 of21)
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(credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
When Simone cannonballed into the pool like a goddamn pro.(14 of21)
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(credit:Ezra Shaw via Getty Images)
When Madison saw a lucky penny on the ground and casually swept down to pick it up.(15 of21)
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(credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
When Aly's entire body became a human spear.(16 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When everyone was all, "It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's Madison!"(17 of21)
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(credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
When Gabby played on the monkey bars at the playground and every single human on earth stopped to watch.(18 of21)
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(credit:Dilip Vishwanat via Getty Images)
When Simone went stargazing and glanced up at the sky in the most superhuman way possible.(19 of21)
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(credit:Ronald Martinez via Getty Images)
When Aly was totally blasé when she dropped something on the floor.(20 of21)
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(credit:Joe Robbins via Getty Images)
When Gabby lay down and took the FIERCEST nap ever known to man.(21 of21)
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(credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
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