Chinese Snowboarder Liu Jiayu Hurt After Fall in Olympic Qualifier

Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu was injured during a qualifying event for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. She fell during the women's halfpipe competition and was taken off the course. Her status for future events is not yet known.
By Newsroom | Winter Sports, Olympics |

A significant event unfolded during the 2026 Winter Olympics qualifiers in Livigno, Italy, where Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu sustained an injury following a fall in the women's halfpipe event. The incident caused a temporary halt to the competition as medical personnel attended to the athlete.

Winter Olympics 2026: Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu stretchered off after fall - 1

The 33-year-old snowboarder was carried off on a stretcher, with initial reports indicating she landed heavily on her left arm and shoulder. Her status for future events remains unconfirmed. The fall occurred as Liu was attempting to qualify for the finals, having caught an edge during her final jump.

Winter Olympics 2026: Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu stretchered off after fall - 2

Event Details and Timeline

The incident took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, during the women's snowboard halfpipe qualifying rounds at the Livigno Snow Park. Liu Jiayu, a seasoned competitor, was on her second qualifying run when the fall occurred.

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Winter Olympics 2026: Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu stretchered off after fall - 3

  • Qualifying Run: Liu caught an edge while landing her final jump, resulting in a hard fall.

  • Injury Assessment: She landed awkwardly on her left arm and shoulder, then bent backward, somersaulting at the bottom of the halfpipe.

  • Medical Response: Medical personnel immediately attended to Liu, and she was subsequently placed on a stretcher.

  • Competition Stoppage: The halfpipe competition was paused for approximately 10 minutes while Liu received attention.

  • Athlete's Position: At the time of her fall, Liu was ranked 13th and needed to improve her standing to secure a spot in the finals.

Liu Jiayu's Career and Olympic Participation

Liu Jiayu is a well-established figure in snowboarding, having represented China in multiple Winter Olympics. Born on September 17, 1992, she began snowboarding at the age of 11 and has achieved considerable success throughout her career.

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Winter Olympics 2026: Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu stretchered off after fall - 4

  • Previous Olympic Performance: Liu has competed in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 Winter Olympics, achieving 4th, 9th, and 2nd place finishes, respectively. Her silver medal in Pyeongchang 2018 highlights her consistent performance at the highest level.

  • Other Achievements: She has also secured six World Cup victories and won the halfpipe event at the FIS Snowboarding World Championships in 2009. More recently, she won a silver medal at China's 14th National Winter Games in February 2024.

  • Reputation: Known by the nickname "Birdie," Liu is recognized as a trailblazer for snowboarding in China, inspiring younger athletes.

Performance of Competitors

The women's halfpipe qualifying saw strong performances from other athletes, notably Chloe Kim of the United States.

  • Chloe Kim's Qualification: Kim finished in first place in the qualifying round, advancing to the finals. She is aiming for a historic third consecutive Olympic halfpipe title.

  • Impact on Competition: The injury to Liu Jiayu did not directly affect Kim's performance or qualification status, as they were competing independently.

Athlete Welfare and Medical Response

The rapid and thorough medical response to Liu Jiayu's fall underscores the importance of athlete safety at major sporting events.

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  • Immediate Care: Paramedics were present at the venue and were able to provide prompt attention to Liu following her crash.

  • Transport: She was transported off the course via a stretcher, a standard procedure for athletes with potential injuries.

  • Information Scarcity: As of the latest reports, there was no immediate official statement from the Chinese team regarding the specific nature or severity of Liu's injury.

Expert and Media Commentary

News outlets have widely reported on the incident, emphasizing the "scary" nature of the fall and the subsequent medical attention.

  • Focus on Injury: Reports from outlets such as the Winnipeg Free Press and USA Today highlighted the visual of Liu being stretchered off the course and the interruption to the competition.

  • Context of Competition: The Olympics.com article noted that Liu was a friend of Chloe Kim, adding a personal dimension to the coverage.

  • Prior Performance: Mentions of Liu's previous successes, particularly her silver medal in 2018, provide context to her standing in the sport and the significance of her injury.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The fall and subsequent injury to Liu Jiayu represent a significant moment in the 2026 Winter Olympics, impacting a prominent athlete and her potential to compete further in the games.

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  • Uncertainty for Liu: Her ability to participate in any remaining events, including the finals if she had qualified, is now in question pending medical evaluation.

  • Olympic Narrative: The incident adds a dramatic element to the ongoing coverage of the Winter Olympics, focusing attention on the inherent risks in extreme sports and the critical role of athlete welfare.

  • Continued Coverage: Further updates on Liu Jiayu's condition are anticipated and will be crucial in understanding the full impact of this event on her career and the competition.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Liu Jiayu?
Liu Jiayu fell during a snowboarding qualifier for the 2026 Winter Olympics and was injured. She was taken off the course on a stretcher.
Q: Where did this happen?
The fall happened during the women's halfpipe qualifying event in Livigno, Italy.
Q: How badly is she hurt?
Reports say she landed hard on her left arm and shoulder. Her exact condition is not yet known.
Q: Will she compete again?
It is not clear if she will be able to compete in future events. Doctors will need to check her injury.