Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu experienced a significant fall during the Olympic qualifiers on Wednesday. At the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, competition halted as Liu lay on her back in the snow at the bottom of the halfpipe, seemingly motionless. It appeared that the toe edge of her snowboard got stuck in the snow, causing her to crash face-first into the halfpipe.
The 33-year-old was transported using an emergency sled for further medical evaluation. According to reports, Liu was fortunate to have avoided major spinal injuries.
After that scary fall, it seems she managed to stay conscious, which is a relief. Liu had just finished her second, and final, qualifying session, where she attempted a 900-degree spin. Unfortunately, her crash led to what’s referred to in snowboarding circles as a “Scorpion,” as her leg and board bent awkwardly against her back.
Competitors are required to wear protective gear, including helmets, during heats. Still, even with these precautions, collisions can be quite dangerous, sometimes resulting in severe injuries. A hit to the head or neck during a fall can notably increase the risk of serious harm.
It’s worth noting that extreme sports have seen their share of tragedies over the years. For instance, former world champion Dave Murray tragically died in a halfpipe accident back in 1990. And then there was Kevin Pearce, who faced a brain injury while preparing for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
This week, issues in the sport continued as Australian snowboard cross racer Cam Bolton was hospitalized following multiple stable neck fractures, according to his representatives.
