Lionel Sanders Sidelined with Sacral Stress Fracture After Weeks of Uncertainty

For Lionel Sanders, the past six weeks have been nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster. The Canadian triathlon star has been battling a persistent, sharp pain in his glute, undergoing multiple medical checks – only to be left without answers. Now, the source of his discomfort has finally been identified: a stress fracture in his sacrum.

The sacrum, a large bone at the base of the spine, plays a crucial role in load-bearing and movement – especially for a high-impact sport like triathlon. For Sanders, the injury has made running virtually impossible. “I started feeling sharp pain deep in my glute and got an MRI – which came back clean”, he recalls. “A CT scan two weeks later also showed nothing. But the pain never really went away, and deep down, I knew something wasn’t right.”

Despite his suspicions, Sanders cautiously continued training, hoping the issue would resolve on its own. However, a recent MRI finally confirmed what earlier scans missed: a clear stress fracture in the sacrum.

Looking back, Sanders admits he wishes the diagnosis had come sooner. “If I could go back, I’d get another MRI around week two. It may have caught the inflammation and validated what my gut was telling me. Hindsight is 20/20. Now I’m looking at more time away from running — but I’m on the right path, and healing is underway.”