Incident Stops Competition; Immediate Medical Attention Provided
Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu, a three-time Olympian and silver medalist, sustained an injury during the women's halfpipe qualifying event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday. The fall occurred during her second run as she attempted her final jump, leading to her being stretchered off the course. Action was paused for approximately ten minutes while medical personnel attended to her.
Initial assessments by medical staff suggest that Liu is unlikely to have sustained a cervical spine injury, with the impact believed to be primarily related to her head. The 33-year-old athlete was competing in her fifth Winter Olympics. Her best previous Olympic result was a silver medal at the PyeongChang 2018 Games.
Details of the Incident
Reports indicate that Liu Jiayu lost control during her final takeoff, resulting in a hard fall where she landed on her left arm and shoulder, then bent backward. The crash was described as a "scary fall" where she came down "headfirst into the pipe." She was motionless for a period after the fall, prompting immediate concern.
Read More: Olympic Games Have Many Controversies and Scandals
Event: Women's Snowboard Halfpipe Qualifying, Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics
Athlete: Liu Jiayu (China)
Date: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Circumstances: Loss of control during final jump, hard fall into the halfpipe.
Immediate Aftermath: Stretchered off, competition paused, initial medical assessment for head and neck injuries.
Context of Liu Jiayu's Olympic Career
Liu Jiayu has been a consistent presence in Olympic snowboarding, making this her fifth appearance. Her most notable achievement remains her silver medal in the women's halfpipe at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. She also competed in the 2010, 2014, and 2022 Winter Games. Her performance in the qualifying round before the injury placed her 14th after her first run, with a score of 62.75 points.
Medical Assessment and Team Status
While immediate details regarding the full extent of Liu Jiayu's injuries remain limited, the initial medical assessments provided a degree of reassurance regarding her spine. Information on her ability to continue competing or her overall status has not been released by the Chinese team.
Read More: Ukrainian Skeleton Racer Removed from Olympics for Helmet Tribute
The immediate medical assessment focused on ruling out severe spinal trauma, with current indications pointing towards an injury stemming from head impact.
Fellow Competitors and Olympic Field
The qualifying session also saw Chloe Kim of the United States secure the top position, advancing to the finals. Other Chinese athletes in the snowboarding discipline, such as Eileen Gu, are also participants in these Olympic Games, though Gu competes in freestyle skiing events. Cai Xuetong, another prominent Chinese snowboarder in the halfpipe, is noted for her previous world championship titles but has yet to secure an Olympic medal.
Conclusion and Future Implications
The injury to Liu Jiayu casts a shadow over her participation in the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. While the initial medical outlook is cautiously optimistic regarding her spine, further evaluation will determine her future in the competition. Her absence would represent a significant loss for the Chinese snowboarding team, given her experience and past Olympic success. The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with competitive snowboarding, even for seasoned athletes.
Read More: Finnish Ski Jumping Coach Sent Home From Olympics For Alcohol Issue
Primary Source: Associated Press (AP)
Secondary Sources: China Daily, Bluewin, Xinhua
Sources Used:
AP News: https://apnews.com/article/winter-olympics-liu-jiayu-fall-e6c43ccc86944d152e868c0e2cf225aa - Provides a comprehensive account of the incident, including details of the fall and initial medical attention.
China Daily: https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202602/11/WS698c7041a310d6866eb38c16.html - Offers details on the injury, including the initial medical assessment regarding spinal injury and head impact.
Bluewin: https://www.bluewin.ch/en/sport/snowboard-star-falls-on-her-head-and-remains-motionless-3092287.html - Reports on the visual aspect of the fall, noting the athlete remained motionless and describing the "shock" in the halfpipe.
Xinhua: https://english.news.cn/20260211/c07743e3b7c54479b90b03fe52f00c00/c.html - A news agency report corroborating details of the fall and the medical assessment of head impact.
Read More: Ukrainian Athlete Removed from Olympics for Helmet Honoring War Victims
