Olympian Kathleen Baker Fractures Foot, Twists Ankle in “Walking Accident”

Olympic gold medalist Kathleen Baker has announced that she injured her foot in early May, a week before Wave II of the US Olympic Trials is set to begin. 

In a post to her Instagram account, Baker mentioned that she had a “walking accident” that resulted in a fractured bone in her foot alongside a twisted ankle. 

Despite the injury, Baker says that she has still been able to swim everyday and that she is still focused on Olympic Trials. However, it is unclear if the injury has affected her training routine. 

 

“Little life update, in a freak walking accident in the beginning of May, I twisted my ankle and fractured a bone in my foot. While timing isn’t ideal, fortunately I’ve been able to be in the water everyday and am focused on trials. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by the best doctors, PT, coaches, teammates and friends and family I could ask for. And thanks to all of you for the tremendous support.” 

This is not the first time that Baker has suffered an injury prior to a major meet. In April 2019, Baker suffered a rib injury that kept her out of several stops of the FINA Champions Series and caused her to drop the 200 IM from her World Championships line-up. 

Baker is the reigning Olympic silver medalist in the 100m backstroke and the former record holder in the event. However, the field in the women’s backstroke events is extremely crowded at trials with other names such as Regan Smith, Olivia Smoliga, and Phoebe Bacon. Baker is also expected to swim the 200m backstroke and 200 IM in Omaha. 

In This Story

66
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

66 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Cracked
3 years ago

Shaine Casas moment. Prepare for a 57.5

Littlefin
3 years ago

First Sarah, now Kathleen. WALKING IS JUST TOO DANGEROUS.

Boobstroke
3 years ago

I actually can’t believe there are multiple people on this platform saying she’s using this as a pre-emptive excuse

Clown Dimension

Ol' Longhorn
3 years ago

Gotta stop chewing gum.

Kayri
3 years ago

Donde puedo ver las clasificaciones y finales de Omaha ola 2

swimfan210_
3 years ago

Impressed by how positive she remains with this setback. Wish her the best.

SwimmerNotSwammer
3 years ago

LOL I SAID THIS IN THE COMMENTS OF THE 2IM ARTICLE AND EVERYBODY DOWNVOTED ME BUT GUESS WHO WAS RIGHT ALLL ALONG

Smith-King-Dahlia-Manuel
Reply to  SwimmerNotSwammer
3 years ago

You have downvotes, as well.

The unoriginal Tim
Reply to  SwimmerNotSwammer
3 years ago

Wow you got the scoop. From the post this sounds like a minor injury as she has still trained everyday. It might work out as it is taper time. However you have to be 100% to make it at trials so we will need to wait and see.

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
Reply to  SwimmerNotSwammer
3 years ago

TBH, I have been stressed out since your comment.

Card
Reply to  SwimmerNotSwammer
3 years ago

Maybe because it’s not really cool to publicly post information about someone’s health instead of letting that person disclose it to the public when and how they want to do it, if at all.

ALEXANDER POP-OFF
3 years ago

I am so very sorry and wish Baker the best. Still rooting for her.

About Nicole Miller

Nicole Miller

Nicole has been with SwimSwam since April 2020, as both a reporter and social media contributor. Prior to joining the SwimSwam platform, Nicole also managed a successful Instagram platform, amassing over 20,000 followers. Currently, Nicole is pursuing her B.S. in Biomedical Engineering at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. After competing for the swim …

Read More »