Jessica Gadirova: European champion confirms ACL injury

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Jessica Gadirova won Olympic bronze after finishing third in the team event at Tokyo 2020

Great Britain's Jessica Gadirova has confirmed she tore her anterior cruciate ligament at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp earlier this month.

Gadirova, 19, said her injury came in a "freak accident" during a warm-up before the individual all-around final.

The European all-around champion admitted in an Instagram post she is unsure how long she will be out for.

"I know it's going to be a tough and long journey ahead," she wrote.

"At this point I don't know for sure how long but I'll be doing everything I can with the support of those around me to return to the sport I love as soon as I can."

Gadirova won three gold medals at the European Championships earlier this year and won Olympic bronze, alongside her twin sister Jennifer, as GB finished third in the team event at Tokyo 2020.

Recovery from a torn ACL typically takes between six and 12 months.

The 2024 Paris Olympics will begin on 26 July next year.