Triple Winter Olympian Belle Brockhoff has sustained a serious back injury after crashing on the weekend in a Snowboard Cross World Cup race in Georgia.
The Snowboard Cross rider was competing in her last race of the day on Saturday when she crashed at relatively high speed and landed on her coccyx.
Belle was airlifted from the course and taken to a Tbilisi hospital where examination and imaging revealed a fracture of the L1 vertebrae, with no neurological damage.
Belle was then evacuated to Greece for surgery.
A member of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia medical team is accompanying and supporting Belle. Belle’s partner has also flown to Greece to be with her.
After surgery it is expected that Belle will remain in Athens to rehabilitate for up to two weeks before returning to Australia.
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO Geoff Lipshut said: “Currently our medical team are working with the medical emergency service personnel and the hospital in Greece to ensure that Belle receives the best care possible.”
“We will reassess options together with Belle following surgery over the next 48 hours.
“Belle is in good spirits, and I am very pleased that her partner has been able to fly to Greece to support her during this time,” he said.
The Snowboard Cross rider was competing in her last race of the day on Saturday when she crashed at relatively high speed and landed on her coccyx.
Belle was airlifted from the course and taken to a Tbilisi hospital where examination and imaging revealed a fracture of the L1 vertebrae, with no neurological damage.
Belle was then evacuated to Greece for surgery.
A member of the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia medical team is accompanying and supporting Belle. Belle’s partner has also flown to Greece to be with her.
After surgery it is expected that Belle will remain in Athens to rehabilitate for up to two weeks before returning to Australia.
Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO Geoff Lipshut said: “Currently our medical team are working with the medical emergency service personnel and the hospital in Greece to ensure that Belle receives the best care possible.”
“We will reassess options together with Belle following surgery over the next 48 hours.
“Belle is in good spirits, and I am very pleased that her partner has been able to fly to Greece to support her during this time,” he said.
IMAGE - Belle Brockhoff leading the field in Georgia before injury
© Miha Matavz/FIS
© Miha Matavz/FIS
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