Olympic Medalist Steele Johnson Pulls Out of Olympic Diving Trials

by Jack McCormick 15

June 10th, 2021 Diving, News

Steele Johnson, who won a silver medal alongside David Boudia at the 2016 Olympic Games in the synchronized platform event, has announced that he will be pulling out of this year’s U.S. Olympic Diving Trials in Indianapolis due to a foot injury. Johnson competed, alongside Boudia, during the semifinals of the 2021 Olympic Trials synchronized 3-meter, he announced that he would be withdrawing from the competition due to an injury to his right foot.

Johnson and Boudia sat in 3rd place out of 5 teams vying a single spot in the Olympic Games.

Johnson said on his social media:

This is hard for me to write, but I’ve unfortunately had to make the tough decision to pull out of all competition at the Olympic Trials due to my foot injury. I’ve endured 2 failed surgeries, years on and off of crutches and have pushed as hard as I physically can, but unfortunately my foot is in too much pain to continue competing at Trials. I’ve been through hell and back with my foot and desperately need this pain to stop. I can barely walk and that makes diving incredibly difficult. The timing of this is devastating. My foot has not been healthy for 6 years now, but over the past few months, my pain has been increasing to a level that is not sustainable to push through anymore. If anyone has seen me recently, you’ve seen me struggle to walk. I’ll share more about all of this later, but know this is a decision that I’m making for my physical, spiritual and mental health. I don’t understand the timing of this, and may never know why the pain hit its critical point at the Olympic Trials, but I know that God is good and that there will be blessing in this decision. I’m disappointed right now, but my current situation doesn’t define me. My identity is rooted in who Jesus says I am. I’m loved, I’m a child of God and He’s pleased with me REGARDLESS of my circumstances, achievements or status. I will be content in every circumstance. It might take me a while to feel contentment, but I’m choosing to believe the Lord is faithful ALWAYS. That being said, I need time to grieve this decision. I need time to grieve this pain. Pray for me.

In an interview with the Olympic Channel in regards to his decision to withdraw from Trials competition, Johnson said that his injury had reached a point that limited even his ability to walk. While he said that he doesn’t want to retire from competition at only 24, the continuation of his career will depend on the success of the surgery on his foot.

Johnson described being in so much pain that he had to wear spongy sandals to climb the stairs to the platform, and then throw them down to the deck below before diving.

He and Boudia were favorites to reclaim their spot as the American representatives in the synchro event for Tokyo, but Johnson says that he received “full support” from his his diving partner to make the decision to withdraw.

Johnson underwent multiple surgeries on his foot during his collegiate career at Purdue. The first surgery kept him out a large portion of the 2017-18 season, while the second limited his competition during the 2018-2019 year. As a freshman at Purdue, Johnson was the NCAA champion on both the 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform.

 

15
Leave a Reply

Subscribe
Notify of

15 Comments
newest
oldest most voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
ZACHERY
2 years ago

get well soon

cary
2 years ago

Steele Johnson is my first favorite olympian. I admire his trust and faith in God as well as his athletic endurance. I’m so devastated for him, praying he recovers from this experience and feels well soon.

Sid
Reply to  cary
2 years ago

I love the olympics, especially the summer. It seems our teams are more interested in the Dr. Dre beats and dancing and making love hand gestures than actually getting the job done. they looked rusty and not polished imo. Ask the Cook girl how those dance moves worked for her in Rio.

China and the rest of the world will once again, leave them in the dust.

BaldingEagle
2 years ago

It must be really hard for him. This news left me limp.

Admin
Reply to  BaldingEagle
2 years ago

I’ve jumped off a 7 meter platform once in my life, and it didn’t feel great without injuries.

I know he’s got more training than me, but going up another 33% with an injured foot…I can’t imagine what the force of that impact would do.

That he made it this long is a testament to his toughness.

Lpman
2 years ago

Dick Pound is going to be upset to hear about Steele Johnson’s injury

IU Swammer
Reply to  Lpman
2 years ago

There can’t be too many opportunities in a life time to write a headline like “Steele Johnson Pulls Out, Denying Partner Chance to Finish.”

Megbert
2 years ago

Praying for you Steele 🙏❤️

Bevo
2 years ago

NCAA Champion and Olympian. No explanation required, you are a champion to all of us. Speedy recovery and all the best to you Steele.

pvdh
2 years ago

jesus really doesnt seem like the diving type

Anonymoose
Reply to  pvdh
2 years ago

what type did jesus seem like to you?

pvdh
Reply to  Anonymoose
2 years ago

400im and 400 free double kinda dude

RAP
Reply to  pvdh
2 years ago

Jesus has always had an interest in his diving. The poor and the starving of the world been damned! It’s more important that this guy dive well.

DCSwim
2 years ago

I once heard this quote, “You got to make a statement. You gotta look inside yourself and say, ‘What am I willing to put up with today?’” And I feel that’s very applicable here. Better to get the help now then suffer more later, I wish him nothing but the best of luck in the future!