TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Injured Olympian May-Treanor No Longer 'Dancing'

Associated Press Photo/ABC

May-Treanor and her professional partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, had been a formidable dancing duo on the show.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Associated Press

Published: October 7, 2008

Misty May-Treanor is too hurt to keep dancing.

The 31-year-old "Dancing with the Stars" contestant and Olympic gold medalist volleyball player appeared at the conclusion of Monday's show on crutches and with a cast on her left leg to announce that she's out of the popular ABC dancing competition after injuring herself while rehearsing Friday.

"I heard a pop," said May-Treanor, who was practicing the jive on the show's ballroom set when she ruptured her left Achilles' tendon. "I was doing the Lindy Hop. I thought I flew out of control and hit the judges' stairs, or it felt like I got hit in the back with a baseball bat. Then, I just couldn't put weight on it."

May-Treanor, who had a previous knee injury from playing volleyball, and her professional partner, Maksim Chmerkovskiy, had been a formidable dancing duo, scoring a 21 out of 30 for their previous foxtrot, mambo and paso doble routines.

Co-host Samantha Harris said what May-Treanor's early exit means for the competition would be revealed on tonight's show.

"Poor thing," said chef Rocco DiSpirito, a fellow celebrity contestant who was by May-Treanor's side after she injured herself Friday. "She was dancing so beautifully. She looked so cute. And then she hurt herself. We didn't realize to what extent. We just tried to comfort her the best we could."

It's not the first injury sustained by a competitor this season. Comedian Jeffrey Ross, who was eliminated the first week, suffered a scratched cornea after his partner Edyta Sliwinska accidentally poked him. Professional dancer Karina Smirnoff, who's partnered with chef Rocco DiSpirito, also sprained her ankle the first week. Both continued to compete despite their injuries.

Model-hostess Brooke Burke was again at the top of the judges' scores with 28. Burke and partner Derek Hough did a Viennese Waltz to John Mayer's "Daughters."

Retired football star Warren Sapp was next with 25 after his waltz with partner Kym Johnson.

Track Olympian Maurice Greene danced a jive and earned a 24; singers Toni Braxton and Lance Bass were tied at 22; actors Susan Lucci and Cody Linley had 21; and DiSpirito scored a 20.

Actress Cloris Leachman again earned the night's low score, a 16.

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT