Canadian Snowboarder Mark McMorris Falls During Training

Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris had a fall during training for the Olympics. He will not compete in the big air event but hopes to be ready for slopestyle. We wish him a good recovery.
By Newsroom | Sports, Olympics |

Fall Raises Concerns Amidst Olympic Preparations

Mark McMorris, a prominent Canadian snowboarder, experienced a significant fall during training for the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games. The incident, which occurred during a big air practice session in Livigno, resulted in McMorris being stretchered off the mountain. This event has cast a shadow over his participation in key competitions and sparked concern among fans and officials.

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Details of the Incident and McMorris's Status

The crash took place on a Wednesday evening while McMorris was training for the big air event. Reports indicate that he lay motionless for approximately a minute before medical personnel attended to him. He was conscious as he was being placed on the stretcher and was transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure.

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  • McMorris, a 32-year-old from Regina, was participating in his fourth Olympic Games.

  • He is a three-time Olympic bronze medalist, with all his medals won in the slopestyle discipline.

  • McMorris also holds a notable record with 22 X Games medals, 12 of which are gold.

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Following the incident, Team Canada released a statement confirming the event. McMorris himself posted on social media, expressing his hope to still compete in the slopestyle event, which was scheduled to begin later in the week. However, he confirmed he would miss the men's big air competition.

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Official Statements and Medical Response

Officials from Canada Snowboard and the Canadian Olympic Committee confirmed they were attending to McMorris. The use of a stretcher was described by one source as a routine procedure after such falls. While an immediate update on his condition was not provided, his subsequent announcement about withdrawing from the big air event indicated the severity of the impact.

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McMorris's Olympic Record and Ambitions

McMorris has been a consistent presence on the Canadian snowboard team. Despite other Canadian riders winning Olympic gold in disciplines like big air, McMorris is recognized as one of the most well-known figures on the team. His history includes multiple Olympic medals and extensive success at the X Games. Leading up to these Games, he had indicated he was in good health, making his crash and subsequent withdrawal from the big air event a notable setback.

Broader Olympic Context

The incident involving McMorris occurred on the same day that Canada's mixed doubles curling team secured a win, marking the opening of their Olympic competition. The concern over McMorris's well-being briefly overshadowed other events, highlighting his prominence within the Canadian Olympic delegation.

Medical Assessment and Next Steps

While the specifics of McMorris's injury were not immediately detailed, the decision to withdraw from the big air competition suggests a need for recovery. His stated intention to still participate in the slopestyle event indicates that medical evaluations are ongoing, with the ultimate decision resting on his ability to recover sufficiently for that competition. The situation raises questions about the physical demands placed on athletes in high-stakes training environments.

Athlete Welfare and Competition Impact

The incident underscores the inherent risks in elite snowboarding. The decision to withdraw from the big air event means that Guseli was awarded a wildcard spot in that competition. McMorris's potential participation in the slopestyle event remains a point of focus, pending his recovery and medical clearance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Mark McMorris?
He fell during training for the Olympics. He was taken off the mountain on a stretcher.
Q: Will he compete in the Olympics?
He will miss the big air event. He hopes to compete in the slopestyle event.
Q: How old is Mark McMorris?
He is 32 years old.
Q: Has he won medals before?
Yes, he has won three Olympic bronze medals and many X Games medals.