Liu Jiayu (bottom) of China receives medical attention during the women's snowboard halfpipe qualification at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
LIVIGNO, Italy, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu suffered a heavy fall during the second run of qualifying in the women's halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday, losing control at her final takeoff and crashing headfirst into the pipe.
Liu, who remained motionless for several minutes, was placed on a rescue sled and transported by medical staff to the on-site medical center.
Medical staff later said initial assessments indicated Liu was unlikely to have suffered a cervical spine injury, with the injury believed to be related to head impact.
The 33-year-old is competing in her fifth Winter Olympics. Her best Olympic result came at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, where she won a silver medal in the women's halfpipe. ■
Liu Jiayu (bottom) of China receives medical attention during the women's snowboard halfpipe qualification at the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games in Livigno, Italy, Feb. 11, 2026. (Xinhua/Wu Huiwo)
