Canadian decathlete Pierce LePage, the reigning world champion, has announced his withdrawal from the Paris Olympics due to a herniated disc in his back. The 28-year-old, who hoped to compete for his first Olympic medal, shared the news in a heartfelt video on Instagram.
LePage revealed that he has been battling the injury for months and despite trying to push through the pain, he ultimately decided to prioritize his long-term health and undergo surgery. He expressed his disappointment at missing the Games, especially as his family was planning to attend for the first time.
The decision comes after a series of setbacks for LePage, who also suffered a hand and shoulder injury during pole vault training earlier this week. He acknowledged the frustration of seeing his dream slip away, but emphasized his resilience and determination to return to competition.
LePage, who won world silver in 2021 and was fifth in his Olympic debut, had set his sights on defending his world title in Tokyo next year. He acknowledged that participating in Paris with the current injury could have jeopardized his future career, stating, “It was either go to the Olympics, score 7,000 points (his personal best is 8,909) or hurt myself and risk future long-lasting damage.”
The two-day decathlon competition will begin on August 2 in Paris. Damian Warner, LePage’s fellow Canadian and a fellow medal contender, is now among the favorites to win gold in Paris. LePage’s withdrawal is a significant loss for Canada and the Olympics, but his focus on his health and future success is understandable given the long-term implications of the injury.
