Summer is fast approaching and so are the Tokyo Olympics. It was special day for many of the badminton players today as BWF released just hours ago a statement on the Race To Tokyo, as there are no more tournaments left to be played in the qualifying window for the Olympics, so the die is cast.

Spain’s Carolina Marin is a clear favourite to win a medal in sport’s biggest event, having won gold in the 2016 Rio Olympics and having earned many other titles in the lead up to this year’s edition. But the reigning champion is now facing a major setback.

Marin published a statement on social media in which she explains that at today’s training, she felt a discomfort that made her leave to get checked. Sadly, after some tests, the doctors have seen that her left knee’s anterior cruciate ligament has been affected. The extent of such injury is still to be determined.

The European champion finished the statement with a positive tone, stating that she is in the best possible hands and using her famous moto in the form of a hashtag, #ICanBecauseIThinkICan.

Yet, this is not the first time in recent months we have heard of the Spaniard suffering from discomforts and possible injuries. Although not of the same type, she did not attend the All England Open in March because she also felt a pain right after winning the Swiss Open, but in this case, it was in her lower limb muscle.

It remains to be seen the seriousness of the player’s injury and how it will affect her chances of attending the Olympics.