Alicia Sacramone ESPN Body Issue: US Gymnast Suffers Blow After Popularity Rise

Alicia Sacramone enjoyed the highest of highs last week, only for injury to strike her down. The budding star may now have her worst nightmare realized. 

Foxsports reports Sacramone tore her Achilles' tendon while training in Japan this weekend. She is scheduled to have surgery on the tendon on Monday. 

The next year had all been planned out. Alicia Sacramone would be the 2012 version of Hope Solo, a burgeoning beauty the nation could rally. 

The 2012 London Olympics would give Sacramone a chance to play seasoned vet and national hero all in one. Last Friday, she appeared in the third Body Issue released by ESPN the magazine. 

A sports-mad world took a second to admire the athletic form that included Sacramone in all her glory. The name that we began to forget from the 2008 games came flooding back with brilliant memories. 

Sacramone had a jump-start as the most popular athlete at the summer games. Now, it is doubtful if she can even get to London. 

According to the report, Sacramone's coach was unsure whether the gymnast would make it back in time for the games. Mihai Brestyan stated that a decision would be made only after consulting with physicians. 

The squad will miss the experience that Sacramone would lend to a youthful but immature side. The 23-year old would lead with power as she exploded from the vault. Her poise will be missed as the team continues to prepare for the summer push. 

For Sacramone, the year was supposed to be far more different. The summer games were supposed to be the cherry on top of a stirring rise in popularity. That all changes with an unfortunate injury. 

Now the 2012 Olympics are a challenge that would have never been a question for an athlete of her talent. If she does make it to London though, we would admire her all the more for her resilience.