Stevan Micic withdraws from 2024 Paris Olympics due to knee injury

Stevan Micic announced he pulled out of the 2024 Paris Olympics due to injury. The No. 1 seed at 57 KG in freestyle wrestling was expected to challenge for a Gold Medal.

A World Champion in 2023, Micic seemed to peak at the right time. However, the former Michigan Wolverines star had to end his Olympic quest due to a knee injury.

He revealed his decision Monday as wrestling began in Paris.

“After much thought and Prayer, It’s very sad for me to say that I am unable to compete in the Paris Olympic Games,” Micic wrote on Instagram. “A few weeks ago, I suffered a knee injury during practice. As training for competition intensified, the injury worsened, which severely limited my ability to prepare at the highest level necessary to compete and achieve the results that I know I’m capable of. 

“The doctors told me that if I want to continue wrestling, I must get reconstructive surgery. I do not have any other option than to bypass competing in the Paris Olympics, regroup, get an operation, and begin the recovery process.”

In a tough situation, Micic explained his emotions as he eventually decided to pull out of a lifelong dream.

“These circumstances have broken me down completely,” Micic wrote. “Competing in and winning the Olympics has been my dream since I was 8. Before the injury, I was more confident than ever and on course to perform at the highest level and achieve my ultimate goal. I have been in prayer for many weeks now over this matter. 

“I believe God has great plans for me going forward, and I need to take the proper steps with recovery. Thank you to wrestling federation of Serbia and all who have supported my journey this far; I love wrestling, and I love representing the country of Serbia. I can’t wait to recover and see what’s next.”

A three-time All-American, Micic went 86-19 in his varsity career at Michigan. He was the NCAA runner-up in 2018 after taking 4th in 2017 and eventually 3rd in 2019. With one last run in 2022, Micic bumped up from 133 pounds to 141, but finished in the Blood Round, just shy of the podium.

Representing Serbia, Micic won a Bronze Medal at the 2022 World Championships and followed it up with a Gold Medal last year. It remains to be seen how long he’ll be sidelined before returning to wrestling competition.