Australia confirm Chelsea star Sam Kerr won't be available for Olympic Games in Paris after ACL injury
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Updated 21/05/2024 at 13:54 GMT
It had been speculated that Chelsea forward Sam Kerr might have had an outside chance at reaching the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris but Australia have now officially confirmed that the superstar will not be available for selection. Kerr suffered an ACL injury during a warm weather training camp in Morocco at the start of the year and hasn't made a quick enough recovery from the injury.
Australia's Kerr out of Paris 2024
Australia have officially confirmed that Chelsea forward Sam Kerr will not be fit enough to play at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Kerr, 30, tore her ACL at Chelsea's warm weather training camp in January, sparking fears that she wouldn't make it to Paris barring an astonishing recovery.
Australia delayed any announcement on Kerr's fitness and Chelsea also stayed coy, raising some fans' hopes that the country's all-time top scorer might be able to make it.
But announcing a squad for two farewell games against China before the team heads to Paris the team confirmed that Kerr, along with Kristianstads DFF forward Amy Sayer who also is out with an ACL injury, will not be available for the games.
"Katrina Gorry (ankle) is still unavailable as she continues her rehab following surgery in April, while attacker Amy Sayer (ACL) and forward Sam Kerr (ACL) remain on the sidelines with long-term injuries. Kerr and Sayer will continue their rehabilitation programs in their home club environments and subsequently will not be available for selection for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games," the statement from Australia read.
“I think everyone can do the math here and understand that obviously the Olympic roster will be based mostly out of those that are in this upcoming May/June camp,” Head Coach Tony Gustavsson said of the decision.
“However, we also have some players in Katrina (Gorry) and Aivi (Luik) unavailable for selection for this window but most likely will be physically available to be part of an Olympic roster.
"This window will be a tough one for me and my staff in terms of evaluating players, where they are, and then the final selection process for Paris.
“We want to use this camp to summarise the evolved playing style we have built upon in the last couple of months. To go back to what we did at last year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup and the core things we did well there and then add the layers we have worked on since.
“Then we will see if we can get more of a complete overview of where we are positioned, work on nuances and details and get some answers of where are we and what do we need to keep working on come the Olympics."
When discussing the rest of the squad he said “The squad we have named for this upcoming series against China PR is based on their performances for their respective clubs and also in our national team environment.
“Some players are selected based on past performances, in tournaments and in previous camps, while others are chosen for their current strong form.
“With the Olympics approaching, selection is about looking at the overall picture spanning four years of performance and assembling the best team possible.
“We have looked at providing cover in each of the different positions and ensuring the player profile for those positions enhances the squad overall. We are pleased and confident we have those options across the pitch."
Elsewhere Arsenal trio Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross and Caitlin Foord are all part of the team, with the former named as captain.
Lyon star Ellie Carpenter is the vice-captain along with Emily van Egmond of the San Diego Wave.
The team also confirmed that the games will be used to allow the Australian fans to say farewell to legendary goalkeeper Lydia Williams, who has confirmed she will retire from international football after the Olympics.
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