Defending BMX Olympic Gold Medalist Connor Fields Is Hospitalized After A Bad Crash

by 24USATVJuly 30, 2021, 1 p.m. 32
-

Connor Fields, the U.S. defending gold medalist in BMX racing, had a brutal crash in the semifinals of his event and left the venue on a stretcher in an ambulance.

"We can confirm that Connor Fields is awake, stable, and awaiting further medical evaluation. He will remain in the hospital under observation," said Dr. Jon Finnoff, the chief medical officer for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.

The 28-year-old was in the third heat of the semifinal, where groups race over a bumpy course with jumps. He started with two excellent rides. Then, disaster struck.

Fields was in a tight pack of riders and came down wrong from a jump, crashing headfirst onto the ground. Paramedics strapped him to a stretcher as he appeared to be unconscious and carried him off the course.

Felicia Stancil, Fields' training partner who came in fourth in the women's race, saw him crash as she was also in the middle of competition.

"I'm thinking about him a lot right now. I'm still a bit emotional," Stancil said in a statement. "He's an Olympic champion forever. To be around him, and his support, all the time is amazing. His crash definitely affected me. I actually won the next lap after I cried. I was crying going up the start hill and then won the run. He's just an inspiration."

Even though he was unable to compete in the final, the scores he already racked up in the semi were enough to qualify. He ultimately placed eighth in the event.

Copyright 2021 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

-

Related Articles

HOT TRENDS

Drew Litton: Rockies living with hard times as season begins

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, 2 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

50 Cent Denies Daphne Joy Sexual & Physical Abuse Allegations

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, 9 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

50 Cent Denies Ex Daphne Joy’s Rape and Abuse Allegations

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, 8 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Tigers 1, White Sox 0: Crochet weaves, but Skubal shoves

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, 6 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Who is your Good Friday scapegoat?

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, 6 a.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Red Sox set Opening Day lineup for 2024 season

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, midnight2
HOT TRENDS

Sam Bankman-Fried’s Dream Came True

by 24USATVMarch 29, 2024, midnight2
HOT TRENDS

MLB Opening Day: Boston Red Sox against Seattle Mariners

by 24USATVMarch 28, 2024, 11 p.m.2
HOT TRENDS

Fans young and old excited for Texas Rangers Opening Day

by 24USATVMarch 28, 2024, 11 p.m.2