Danish star Mie Nielsen will have to withdraw from the World Championships in Barcelona due a knee injury that has plagued her for the last few years. In an article on the Danish Swimming Federation website it was announced that Nielsen, who underwent surgery after she competed in the Olympic Games last summer once again went under the knife to try to alleviate the pain that this injury is causing her.
After her first surgery Nielsen, who is only 16 years of age, went on to compete in the World Short Course Championships in December where she set national records in the 50 backstroke (27.07) and the 100 backstroke (57.07) where she also collected a silver medal. She was also a member of the 4 x 100 medley relay which broke the Danish and European records posting a time of 3:49.87. In that event she once again broke the national record for the 100 backstroke swimming a time of 56.73.
Nielsen also collected a bronze as part of the Danish 4 x 100 freestyle relay.
Nielsen had her second surgery in mid-May after extensive consultation with Danish medical staff. It was decided by both Nielsen and her coach that she take the next few months to concentrate on her rehabilitation and withdraw from the World Championships.