American skier Nina O'Brien avoided disaster on Monday after a sickening collision with a gate during the women's giant slalom race at the 2022 Winter Olympics.
The 24-year-old was on her second run when she careered into the penultimate gate and tumbled over the line, and remained rooted to the ground in a heap in the finish area.
O'Brien was immediately treated by at least four medics as the event in Beijing was brought to a standstill, only resuming after O'Brien was carried away on a stretcher.
Broadcasters of the Winter Olympics event were forced to cut away from footage, instead showing views of the mountain after O'Brien lost her footing.
The dismaying scenes prompted concern from fellow competitors and television viewers, but a US team spokesperson later moved to allay fears, confirming O'Brien was communicating with officials.
"Nina O'Brien crashed into the finish but she is alert and responsive," they said.
"She is very tough and was calm. She's a fighter. She was worried about delaying the race. And also she wanted to know how fast she was skiing."
O'Brien, from Denver in Colorado, was making her debut at an Olympic Games, having twice competed at the World Championships in 2019 and 2021 prior to qualifying for Beijing.
In December, she had finished ninth at a slalom event in Semmering in Austria - her first top ten finish at an international event.
At the time of the incident, Swiss skier Lara Gut-Behrami led the competition, but looked visibly distressed as O'Brien was treated.
She went on to finish in the Bronze medal position, while Sweden's Sara Hector claimed Gold, with Italy's Federica Brignone taking silver.
Commentating live for the BBC, British Olympic skiing legend Graham Bell told viewers: "It's really tough when you get a crash like that just puts the race on hold but the ski racers are used to it, they've been through this before.
"'You've got to just keep focused and go through that pre-race plan."
A video clip of the incident was posted on Twitter by @AndrewJMullen, who said "Women’s Giant Slalom. Horrendous crash 2 gates from home for Nina O’Brien (USA). Possible hospital evacuation.
"The way her right leg bent - that looked like a break. Crossing fingers it’s not that serious."
His concerns were echoed by @actsimpsonian, who replied, "Brutal when her skies started to separate, it looked like maybe a snap right above her foot."
@Monte_Alto added "Oh damn, I sure hope the injury isn't too severe. What a shame."
