Swimmer Jonathan Koplev, the European Swimming Champion in 50-meter backstroke and one of Israel’s touted athletes for the Olympics, underwent an appendectomy this morning and is likely to miss the London Games.
Koplev reported pain in his stomach last week during the Israeli National Swim Championships and even pulled out of his race.
He initially dismissed the pain as nothing serious. However, Koplev was rushed to hospital last night and was operated on this morning.
“They caught the infection in time,” Koplev was quoted by the Hebrew media as saying post-operation. “At the moment it doesn’t look like I’ll be able to take part in the Olympics, but we’ll be smarter on Thursday [when the swimming delegation leaves for training in London]. ”
Recovery time from appendectomy — surgical removal of the appendix — usually takes six weeks.
Israeli Olympian Jonathan Koplev undergoes ER surgery
Disappointment among Israeli Olympic delegation as champion swimmer undergoes appendectomy this morning.
July 15, 2012