An Olympic snowboarder is recovering in Milan after a terrifying training crash left him with two fractures in his neck.
Australian snowboard cross competitor Cam Bolton, 35, suffered a serious fall during a training session at the Winter Olympics earlier this week. What initially seemed like routine soreness quickly escalated when he reported worsening neck pain the following day.
Medical scans at the Olympic Polyclinic revealed two stable neck fractures. Bolton was then transported to a hospital in Milan for additional imaging and evaluation.
Despite the frightening diagnosis, officials say he is in stable condition.
“Cam is in a stable condition and remains in good spirits,” the Australian Olympic Committee said in a statement. The team’s medical staff is now coordinating with local doctors in Italy and neurological specialists back in Australia to determine the next steps in his treatment and recovery.
Bolton is a decorated snowboard cross athlete who won silver in the mixed team event at last year’s world championships in Switzerland.
In response to the injury, Australia activated its Late Athlete Replacement option, bringing Olympic newcomer James Johnstone onto the men’s snowboard cross team alongside Adam Lambert and Jarryd Hughes.
Bolton isn’t the only Australian athlete sidelined this week. Snowboard halfpipe competitor Misaki Vaughan was also ruled out of the Games after suffering a head injury during training and failing a concussion assessment.
Australia will still compete in the women’s halfpipe event, represented by Amelie Haskell and Emily Arthur.