(July 10) — Abby Steiner, the former University of Kentucky star, revealed that she has been running with an injury and intends to undergo surgery in September after finishing fourth and failing to secure a spot on the U.S. team for the World Athletics Championships in the women’s 200m.
Steiner clocked a season-best time of 22.07 seconds at the 2023 USATF Outdoor Championships, narrowly missing out on a place in the 200m event on Sunday.
Read More: Gabby Thomas leaves Sha’Carri Richardson behind, runs WL 21.60 at USATF Championships
As the reigning U.S. champion in 2022, Steiner expressed her disappointment at not making back-to-back appearances at the world championships. She stated that she is likely to conclude her season and shift her focus to the Olympic Games next year.
What Happened To Abby Steiner This Season?
“It’s been a long season for me, battling some injury,” Steiner told reporters in the mixed zone on Sunday. She acknowledged that making the team would have been a victory, but since she missed out on that goal, she considers “giving myself some time for recovery [is] a win too, so I’m just going to take care of my body and prepare for next year.”
Despite possessing one of the top times globally this year, and being a potential candidate for a spot in the 2023 Diamond League Final at Hayward Field in September, Steiner expressed doubt about her availability due to her plans for surgery on her left foot.
The 23-year-old, a double world championships relay gold medalist last summer, is now contemplating advancing her surgery date since she won’t be competing in Budapest. This decision would also allow her more time to recover before resuming training next month.
“I actually have a bone spur on my heel and was planning on getting surgery at the beginning of September after worlds,” she revealed.
How Long Abby Steiner Has Been Struggling With Heel injury?
When asked how long she has been dealing with the issue, the American sprinter disclosed, “It’s probably going on for the last six to eight months so just kind of been battling that all season. They basically have to go in and kind of shave down that bone and put a patch over it so that it doesn’t grow back.
“I have struggled with Achilles tendonitis for the past like two years….It’s been a little bit of a struggle at practice just trying to manage that pain.
“I’m just going to meet with my team, agent, coach, [and] see what’s best for going into the Olympics next year. I mean the more recovery I can give myself now probably the better. I just wanted to see how this meet went and then make a decision.”
Abby Steiner holds the 18th all-time best performer in the women’s 200m, achieving a personal best of 21.77 seconds last year to secure victory at the U.S. Championships.
The women’s 200m team for the U.S. at the world championships will be Gabby Thomas, Sha’Carri Richardson and Kayla White.
USA Championships Results here
