Six-Time Olympic Medalist Brendan Hansen Recovering from Patellar Tendon Tears in Both Knees
Six-time Olympic medalist Brendan Hansen, USA Swimming’s National Junior Team Director, is on the mend after tearing both patellar tendons in his knees during a July 4 mishap. Hansen was taking part in a cannonball contest during a family event when he suffered the major injuries. Surgery followed and the former world-record holder in the 100-meter breaststroke and 200 breaststroke spent four weeks in a wheelchair.
According to a social-media post, Hansen progressed from the wheelchair to a walker, then crutches and eventually braces that mobilized his legs. Now, five weeks into the rehab process, he indicated he is walking without braces and has started to ride a bike. Hansen was a multi-time captain for Team USA at major international competitions, largely due to the mentality he brought to the deck and inspiration he provided teammates.
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In his social-media post, Hansen offered thoughts on battling adversity.
“What I continue to learn about myself is being consistent and present are super powers!” he wrote. “No, I don’t want to do it again, but I really like the guy on the other side of this. My level of gratitude for the smallest moments is insane, and I’m ready for the next steps. Yes, pun intended.”
Hansen wasn’t unfamiliar with adversity during his swimming career. At the 2000 United States Olympic Trials, he placed third in both breaststroke events to narrowly miss qualifying for the Sydney Games. He responded by embarking on a stellar career at the University of Texas and won the world title in the 200 breaststroke a year after Trials. Meanwhile, he was a longshot to medal in the final of the 100 breaststroke at the 2012 Olympics in London, but earned bronze with an outside-smoke performance.