Mark McMorris Cleared to Compete in Olympic Slopestyle After Crash

Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris has been cleared to compete in the Olympic slopestyle event. He had a crash during training and was recovering from a concussion. He is now ready to compete.
By Newsroom | Sports, Winter Olympics |

Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris has been medically cleared to compete in the men's slopestyle event at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, following a significant crash during big air training. The three-time Olympic bronze medalist sustained a concussion, bone bruising to his pelvis, and an abdominal strain. His participation in the slopestyle competition was in doubt after the incident, which forced him to withdraw from the big air event. McMorris has since completed concussion protocols and medical assessments, allowing him to return to training under favorable weather conditions.

McMorris stomps and the sun shines on slopestyle with a winter storm approaching at the Olympics - 1

Background on the Incident and Recovery

The incident occurred on February 4th, during a practice run for the big air competition. McMorris fell, hitting his head and losing consciousness. He was subsequently taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure. Following his release and return to the Olympic Village, he underwent further testing to determine his fitness for competition.

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  • The crash forced McMorris to withdraw from the men's big air qualifying round.

  • He received clearance for the slopestyle event on Thursday, two days prior to the competition, after a period of recovery and medical evaluation.

  • McMorris expressed feeling "pretty darn good again" and appreciative of the time to recover, noting that he enjoyed training on the course under sunny skies.

Injuries and Medical Clearance

Mark McMorris suffered a concussion, bruising at the top of his pelvis, and strained abdominal muscles as a result of the training crash. After the fall, he was released from the hospital and rejoined his teammates at the Olympic Village. He then underwent "routine follow-up testing" to assess his readiness.

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  • McMorris has a history of dealing with injuries during Olympic seasons, describing his team as a "tough breed."

  • He has successfully completed concussion protocols and passed medical examinations required for clearance.

  • Medical professionals have given him the "all-clear" to compete in the slopestyle event.

McMorris's Olympic Record and Aspirations

McMorris is a three-time Olympic bronze medalist in the slopestyle event, having secured medals in Sochi 2014, Pyeongchang 2018, and Beijing 2022. He has participated in four Olympic Games, showcasing remarkable longevity and resilience in his career.

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  • He entered the Milano Cortina 2026 Games aiming to upgrade his slopestyle medals to gold or silver.

  • While slopestyle has been his most successful discipline, he had also hoped to medal in big air.

  • McMorris has consistently demonstrated his ability to overcome adversity and setbacks throughout his Olympic career.

Slopestyle Event Context

The men's snowboard slopestyle event is a key competition at the Winter Olympics, featuring athletes performing tricks and jumps on a course with various obstacles. The competition takes place in Livigno, within the Valtellina region. McMorris believes the current course plays to his strengths, and he is working on rebuilding his confidence after the crash.

  • The slopestyle event is scheduled to proceed with McMorris as a participant after his medical clearance.

  • The weather conditions during his return to training were described as mild with sunny skies.

  • Snowboarding at the Olympics encompasses several disciplines, including slopestyle, big air, halfpipe, and snowboard cross.

Expert and Athlete Perspectives

While specific expert analyses of McMorris's current condition are not detailed in the provided articles, the athlete himself has communicated his status. McMorris stated, "I'm coming around and starting to feel like myself again." He also remarked, "We're a tough breed," referencing the athletes' resilience.

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  • McMorris expressed that he is "feeling pretty darn good again" and enjoying getting back on the course.

  • His clearance is based on successful completion of medical protocols, including concussion assessments.

Conclusion and Implications

Mark McMorris's clearance for the Olympic slopestyle event signifies his successful recovery from a recent training injury. Despite the concussion and associated physical impacts, he has met the necessary medical requirements to compete. This allows him to pursue his goal of potentially upgrading his historic slopestyle bronze medals. His ability to return to competition highlights his resilience and dedication. The confirmation of his participation is a significant development for the Canadian team and the slopestyle event itself.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can Mark McMorris compete in the Olympics?
Yes, he has been cleared to compete in the slopestyle event.
Q: What happened to Mark McMorris?
He had a crash during training and got a concussion. He also hurt his pelvis and stomach.
Q: Will he compete in the big air event?
No, he had to pull out of the big air event because of his injury.
Q: How many medals does Mark McMorris have?
He has won three bronze medals in slopestyle at past Olympics.