A serious fall occurred during the women's snowboard halfpipe qualification at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, leading to the medical removal of Chinese athlete Liu Jiayu. The incident caused a significant halt in the competition, raising immediate concerns about her well-being and participation status.
Liu Jiayu, a prominent figure in snowboarding and a silver medalist at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, was competing in her fifth Winter Olympics. During her second qualifying run, she reportedly lost control while landing a jump, resulting in a hard fall into the halfpipe. Initial reports described her as remaining motionless for a period, prompting urgent medical attention. She was eventually taken off the course on a stretcher.
Event Details and Timeline
The incident took place on Wednesday during the women's halfpipe qualifying rounds. Liu Jiayu, aged 33, was executing a jump when she is believed to have "caught an edge" upon landing. This misstep led to a severe fall where she impacted the pipe.
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The fall occurred during the second run of the qualification.
Action on the halfpipe was paused for approximately ten minutes while medical personnel attended to Liu.
Immediate updates on her condition were not available from the Chinese team following the event.
Initial Medical Assessment
Following the fall, initial medical assessments provided some reassurance regarding the severity of her injuries.
Reports suggest that a cervical spine injury was unlikely.
The injury is thought to be primarily related to head impact.
This provisional assessment offers a degree of relief, though further evaluation would be necessary to ascertain the full extent of her injuries and her future in the competition.
Competitive Context and Previous Performance
Liu Jiayu is a highly experienced athlete. Her participation in the Milan-Cortina Games marked her fifth Olympic appearance.
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Her most significant Olympic achievement to date is the silver medal won in the women's halfpipe at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
In the qualification run where the injury occurred, Liu had scored 62.75 points on her first attempt, placing her 14th at that point.
Fellow Chinese snowboarder Cai Xuetong has been highlighted as a strong competitor and "medal threat," though the report notes she doesn't always prioritize results.
Chloe Kim of the United States secured the top position in the qualifying round and advanced to the final.
Broader Olympic Narrative
While Liu Jiayu's injury cast a shadow over the qualification event, other aspects of the Milan-Cortina Games were also noted.
Reports mentioned other athletes experiencing difficulties, such as a "DNF" (Did Not Finish) due to losing control on a turn.
The broader context of the Winter Olympics includes various disciplines, with updates on figure skating and speed skating also being published.
Eileen Gu, another prominent Chinese athlete, was featured in discussions about her approach to competition and her decision to represent China.
Expert Commentary and Analysis
No direct expert commentary on Liu Jiayu's specific fall or injury was available in the provided articles. However, the descriptions of the fall and the immediate medical response highlight the inherent risks associated with professional snowboarding. The sport demands extreme precision and control, and even minor errors can lead to significant consequences. The focus on head impact underscores the importance of safety equipment, such as helmets, in mitigating severe injury.
Conclusion and Implications
The injury sustained by Liu Jiayu during the Olympic halfpipe qualification is a significant event, impacting a seasoned competitor and a medal hopeful. While initial medical reports suggest a potentially less severe outcome than initially feared, her withdrawal from further competition appears likely, depending on the definitive diagnosis.
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The incident serves as a stark reminder of the physical demands and risks involved in elite snowboarding.
The focus now shifts to Liu Jiayu's recovery and the ongoing competitions in the women's halfpipe.
The performance of other Chinese athletes, such as Cai Xuetong, will be closely watched as the event progresses.
The availability of timely and accurate medical information is crucial in such situations, both for the athlete's well-being and for the continuity of the Olympic event.
Sources Used:
AP News: Chinese snowboarder taken off on stretcher after scary fall at Olympics
Context: Provides a primary account of the incident, including the visual description of the fall and immediate aftermath.
Link: https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-liu-jiayu-fall-e6c43ccc86944d152e868c0e2cf225aa
China Daily: China's snowboarder Liu Jiayu injured in women's snowboard halfpipe qualification at Milan-Cortina
Context: Offers details on the fall, initial medical assessments concerning the spine and head, and mentions Liu's past Olympic achievements.
Link: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202602/11/WS698c7041a310d6866eb38c16.html
Bluewin: Snowboard star falls on her head and remains motionless
Context: Emphasizes the severity of the fall, describing Liu as falling "on her head" and remaining "motionless," and provides her score from the first run.
Link: https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/snowboard-star-falls-on-her-head-and-remains-motionless-3092287.html
The Age: Chinese star stretchered off the halfpipe
Context: A brief report confirming the athlete was stretchered off, though limited in detail.
Link: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/chinese-star-stretchered-off-the-halfpipe-20260211-p5o1jx.html
Olympics.com: Cai Xuetong: The medal threat known as 'Tongtong' who doesn't take results so seriously
Context: Provides background on a fellow Chinese competitor, Cai Xuetong, and the context of China's halfpipe program.
Link: https://www.olympics.com/en/news/cai-xuetong-chinas-snowboard-halfpipe-hero
The New York Times (The Athletic): Winter Olympics 2026 live updates: Latest as figure skating, speed skating and more features on Day 5
Context: A live update feed that briefly mentions the general context of the Olympics and athlete performance across disciplines, though not detailing Liu's fall.
TIME: Eileen Gu Does Not Believe in Limits
Context: Discusses another prominent Chinese athlete, Eileen Gu, providing broader context about Chinese participation and athlete profiles in the Olympics.
Link: https://time.com/7355691/eileen-gu-interview-2026-olympics/
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