Kathleen Baker to Miss FINA Champions Series Budapest Due to Rib Injury

by Robert Gibbs 15

May 09th, 2019 National, News

World record holder Kathleen Baker will miss the Budapest stop of the 2019 FINA Champions Series this week due to a rib injury she suffered in April, she told SwimSwam today.

In April I got sick and my cough lead to a rib fracture. Under the advice of USA Swimming and the medical staff at the Olympic Training Center at Chula Vista I have been out of the water so my rib will properly heal. I’m currently working with the medical staff, my coaches, and doctors to gradually increase my activity and I can’t wait to get back into training.

In our preview earlier today, we noted that Baker was among the last-minute scratches from the meet, but we weren’t yet sure why. She had previously missed the Israel Cup meet in April after initially being slated to swim there, along with several other members of Team Elite.

Baker had been racing a lot since she broke the 100 back world record last summer. She competed in the World Cup circuit in the fall, and had participated in three LCM meets since the calendar flipped to 2019. Her most recent meet was FFN Golden Tour meet in France in March, where she went 59.00 in the 100 back, a time that ranks 5th in the world so far this year. Her 2:08.08 in the 200 back earlier in March at the Des Moines stop of the TYR Pro Swim Series also puts her 5th in the world this year.

Baker also told us that she hadn’t made a final decision on the next Champions Series stop, which will take place in Indianapolis at the end of the month, but that she would probably not end up swimming there.  She still has over two months to fully recover before the 2019 World Championships where she made the USA team for all three backstroke events and the 200 IM.

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2 Cents
5 years ago

It’s her cat’s fault. She probably made the cat mad one day by not letting her in at night and it rained, or she didnt clean the litter box enough one day, or… and this is the worst offense… maybe she let the cats food dish get below being half full!!! If it was the latter, then the cat went out, and purposely got her sick and probably even took a sledgehammer to her ribs… we are lucky that she wasn’t injured more. Cats are vindictive creatures and I have no doubt that it is at the root of this story….

Yozhik
5 years ago

Has she withdrawn from Indianapolis stop (end of May) as well? 100 BK has already one vacant spot. Is Hosszu going to race along? Will FINA cancel the event if there is no one who doesn’t mind to get free “champions” money?

Yozhik
Reply to  Robert Gibbs
5 years ago

I got it at first place about PSS. I know she accepted invitation to race in Indianapolis stop of Champions Series that will take place in three weeks. And I was wondering if because of her current health issues will she miss this money as well.

Yozhik
5 years ago

If a swimmer selected for WC last season is not able to compete for some reason what would be the procedure of replacement? Will it be done base on the results of last season trials or current rankings will be used. Is it a formal procedure or it is up to decision of some officials and/or coaches?

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Yozhik
5 years ago

very good question ….

NOFLYKICK
5 years ago

A lotta folks got that brutal cold/flu thing this season. Hopefully she takes plenty of time to fully recover before pushing it again. Until then, Smogs, Smith, etc, etc. have got it covered for USA backstroke.

wowok
5 years ago

oh geez. lots of rotation in backstroke. hope she recovers quickly

Tm71
5 years ago

Unfortunately there might not be enough time to be in top shape in 10 weeks

Hswimmer
Reply to  Tm71
5 years ago

Not like the backstroke events are weak in the US.. I think smoliga will have a big summer! Hope Kathleen recovers quickly!

Pvdh
Reply to  Tm71
5 years ago

If she falls off form, Smith and Smoliga are there for relays

ERVINFORTHEWIN
Reply to  Pvdh
5 years ago

Oh yes !!! Those 2 wont miss the opportunities presented to them

Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

Big lung capacity = monster cough.

13 % Chinese person
Reply to  Ol' Longhorn
5 years ago

Breastroke pull gives stress fractures & hot spots on the ribs ? If she is 200 im -ing there is a lot of high powered work .

Ol' Longhorn
Reply to  13 % Chinese person
5 years ago

Much more likely it was from coughing. Likely from her Crohn’s treatment in the past (steroids) living her osteopenic, which otherwise would be unheard of in a young woman athlete. She’s had the rib fractures from coughing before https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/15/sports/olympics/kathleen-baker-crohns-disease-swimming-olympics.html

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