Abbie Brown, the captain of the GB Sevens rugby team, has expressed her deep disappointment at being unable to participate in this year’s Paris Olympics due to a hamstring injury. Brown, who had aspirations of making history as the first British rugby player to compete in three Olympic Games, has been forced to withdraw from the final squad. This announcement comes as a significant setback for the 28-year-old, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in both Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, finishing in fourth place on both occasions.
In a statement posted on social media, Brown conveyed the intensity of her emotions, labelling the past two weeks as among the most challenging in her entire career. She expressed feeling “heartbroken, gutted, and truly devastated”, acknowledging the unforgiving nature of sports. Despite her personal disappointment, Brown conveyed her unwavering determination to wholeheartedly support her teammates, declaring, “Hamstring is now attached and I can’t wait to be the best cheerleader there is for my girls this summer.”
The women’s sevens event at the Olympics is scheduled to commence on 28th July, while the GB men’s team faces the challenge of securing victory in the Olympic repechage tournament in Monaco this weekend in order to qualify.
These recent developments have undoubtedly been difficult for Abbie Brown, who has devoted significant effort to representing her country on the global stage. Nevertheless, it is evident that her resilience and resolve remain unshaken. The entire rugby community will be rallying behind her and her teammates as they continue their pursuit of excellence in the sport they hold dear.