Zoey Clark, a seasoned relay specialist from Aberdeen, is no stranger to challenges. After a prolapsed disc injury at the start of 2023, she was on a steady path to recovery. However, a recent anterior cruciate ligament tear during training has thrown a wrench in her plans.

Clark's Setback and Optimism

"I am not going to lie, it is a big setback for me," Clark admitted. Despite this, she remains optimistic. "My recovery was still slow progress but I was going in the right direction so I had full confidence that I would at least be at a level to contend for Commonwealth Games spots next year."

Adjusting Goals

With the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on the horizon, Clark acknowledges the slim chances but isn't ready to give up. "I don't want to completely discount it but I definitely don't want to put that as the main goal that I must achieve because I know it's unlikely, so I just need to see how I get on between now and the qualification period closing."

Focus on Recovery

This season, Clark is focusing on smaller, more manageable goals. "This season is pretty much a write off for me. I just need to maybe make my goals a bit smaller and just think about getting myself functional and not put too much performance goal pressure on it."

Looking Ahead

If Glasgow 2026 proves out of reach, Clark has her sights set on the next Olympics. "LA in 2028, I had my eyes on that. I definitely had full intensions to stay within the sport up until that year at least." Despite the uncertainty, her long-term aspirations remain intact.

Related Topics

• Athletics
• Injury Recovery
• Commonwealth Games
• Olympic Aspirations