Rio Olympic: Broken Leg but not a Broken Spirit.
Despite having to undergo surgery and losing his chance in the 2016 Rio Olympics due to a shocking leg injury, Samir Ait Said kept the spirit alive by delivering a message from his hospital bed and posted it on his personal Facebook page.
He expressed how he appreciates those who supported him as well as wishing his teammates good luck.
The video was posted Sunday morning and as of 11pm today - it had more than 1,682,767 views, 4,104 comments and 10,438 shares.
Paul George of the Indiana Pacers and U.S. Olympic basketball player also expressed his support via Twitter. Back in 2014, George suffered a similarly terrifying lower leg injury during a run up to the FIBA World Cup.
The 26-year-old, French gymnast experienced a gruesome injury after landing badly on the vault and his left leg folded beneath him during the men's qualifications rounds on Saturday.
However, he remained strong and determined after the incident and showed that he may have a broken leg but not a broken spirit.
"The operation went very well and I can be back on my feet quite soon, relatively. So it's gone well and I'm happy.
"I'm behind all my pals," Said said."They managed to keep their act together after my fall. That must have been really difficult. They were real warriors. So come on boys, be strong, I'm with you."
Said plans to return to the arena as a spectator and has not ruled out making a run at the 2020 games in Tokyo.
"I will be going back to the arena soon to cheer on my friends because the competition hasn't finished yet. And I can add to the support with my blue, white and red cast. Come on France!"
"Believe me, the adventure of Tokyo 2020 is still possible," he said. "And as soon as I'm back on my feet I'll be back in training and searching for that Olympic gold."
