(Reuters) – Lithuania’s swimming federation announced that Ruta Meilutyte, the country’s 2012 Olympic gold medallist in breaststroke and a hopeful for the Paris 2024 Olympics, recently underwent foot surgery. She is expected to resume training in early April.
Meilutyte currently holds the world record and is the reigning world champion in the 50 meters breaststroke event, which is not part of the Olympic program. She achieved gold in the 100m breaststroke at the London 2012 Olympics at the age of 15.
In 2023, she became the 100m world champion but did not advance to the semi-finals in last month’s world championships in Doha.
The federation revealed on their website that Meilutyte had surgery in Kaunas following her return from Qatar.
Orthopaedic surgeon Gintautas Pocius explained, “Ruta’s foot has been causing her pain for a few months during intense physical activity. Tests revealed damage to the first metatarsal bone in her left foot.”
He added, “The procedure performed was minimally invasive arthroscopy, and we anticipate a speedy recovery process.”
Meilutyte will need to wear a special brace for three weeks as part of her rehabilitation.
The federation reassured that the surgery would not disrupt her preparation for the Paris Olympics. They also mentioned a planned two to three-week rest period following the world championships in Doha.
The Paris Olympics are scheduled to commence on July 26.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Ken Ferris)
