Brazilian swimmer Bruno Fratus, whose jubilation at winning a freestyle bronze medal went viral at the Tokyo Olympics, has opted out of the Paris Games after a long battle with injuries.
Fratus, at the age of 32, became the oldest swimmer to claim a first Olympic medal when he finished third in the 50-meter freestyle won by American Caeleb Dressel in Tokyo.
Pumping his fists in the pool wildly and sharing a passionate, pool-side kiss with his wife-coach Michelle Lenhardt after the medal ceremony, Fratus' celebrations lit up the delayed Games, where crowds were banned due to COVID-19 restrictions.
A veteran of three Olympics, Fratus said that after four surgeries in the past 18 months, it was impossible for him to be competitive for Paris. He decided to pull out of the Olympic trials next week.
"After three Olympics, it wouldn't make sense to go to Paris, wear the Brazilian uniform, without the full conviction that I'm in a position to fight for the race," he wrote on social media. "Even though it hurts me -- a lot -- not to be able to be there, I will be here cheering as always for everyone who will be there competing and representing our country."
Fratus, 34, had major knee surgery in February.
A four-time medalist at the world championships, Fratus said pulling out of Paris did not mean the end of his swimming career, only a "brief hiatus."
Reuters contributed to this report.