On February 21, 12-time World Cup winner, Daron Rahlves, took the slopes for the first round of the Olympic Games Skicross event. In contention to proceed to the finals, Rahlves fell during his run when he was 2nd in his heat. He quickly got to his feet and crossed the finish line just outside the position required to move to the final round.
While it was a disappointing result for Rahlves, his participation alone defied the odds. Three weeks before the Olympic Skicross event, Ravhles sustained a hip dislocation for the fourth time in his career — an injury normally requiring months of therapy for a full recovery.
The likelihood Rahlves would race in the Olympics was bleak. Rahlves turned to a variety of treatments to hasten his return: platelet-rich plasma (PRP), physical therapy, magnetic pulse stimulation and acupuncture. After his first round opportunity concluded, Rahlves did not have any excuses.
“I felt ready to roll. Today was the outcome I didn’t really expect it. I thought I was going to be moving through to the finals,” Rahlves said. “I felt great. I’ve been skiing hard and as of yesterday I had zero pain in the hip. I was still doing physical therapy every morning. To be back this way three weeks after dislocating my hip was a pretty outstanding recovery.”
While Rahlves’ hope of winning a medal is over, his speedy recovery will be a source of hope for future injured professional athletes. Because multiple therapies used simultaneously expedited Rahlves’ recovery, claims that any one treatment was solely responsible are unsubstantiated.
Ultimately, it was the amazing determination of Rahlves and his support team that led to his ability to compete.
