Many people consider Elodie Lussac as France's first major international threat to the world of women's artistic gymnastics. Indeed, Elodie outperformed the well-known Khorkina (RUS) in 1993 to claim the prestigious Junior European AA title. That same year, the French issued 50 commemorative phone cards with Elodie's picture. Elodie was a national hero. The following year, in 1994, Elodie suffered several terrible injuries. At the World Championships in Brisbane, Australia, Elodie missed one of her feet when dismounting the beam. She landed on her back and then bounced back onto her face. X-rays revealed a facial bone fracture. That same year, at the World Team Championships in Dortmund, Germany, Elodie sufferred a career-ending back injury. The Lussacs alledge that Elodie complained of back problems prior to competing in Dortmund, but the French Gymnastics Federation turned a blind eye and forced her to compete. Sadly, when she returned home to Marseille, Elodie was diagnosed with severe vertebral stress fractures in the 4th and 5th vertebraes. She spent 7 months in a cast and four more in a surgical corset. Elodie eventually recovered but never returned to elite gymnastics. According to the French newspaper, Le Point, Elodie and her parents brought a lawsuit against the French Gymnastics Federation, responsible, according to them, for the injury that forced Lussac to end her gymnastics career. To complicate matters, Elodie's father was himself affiliated with the French Gymnastics Federation as he was one of Elodie's coaches! July 1st, 1999: According to Sportsweb, the French Gymnastics Federation was ordered to pay Elodie 10,000 francs (approximately $1,700 U.S.) in damages. The court held the federation responsible for pain Elodie endured following the injury she sustained in Dortmund, but not for the injury itself. Elodie was seeking 550,000 francs (approximately $92,500 U.S.), far less than what she was awarded. Update (November 16, 1999). Fulfilling a dream she had long ago, Elodie is currently studying medicine in Montpellier, France. Elodie Lussac was born on May 7, 1979.Updates courtesy of Elodie and friend Alexa. This page was created on February 15, 1999 and last updated on December 22, 1999. |
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