Olympic Star Liu Jiayu Stretchered Off After Brutal Halfpipe Crash
Silence fell over the Olympic halfpipe as Liu Jiayu lay motionless at the bottom of the snow.
The 33-year-old Chinese snowboarder, a veteran of multiple Winter Games and a silver medalist in 2018, suffered a terrifying crash during the women’s halfpipe qualifying round in Livigno, Italy. It happened on her second run, at the final hit, when she needed just one stronger score to move into the top twelve and secure a place in the final.
She came into the last trick with speed and confidence, but something went wrong on the landing. Her board caught awkwardly in the snow. In a split second, she was thrown off balance. She came down hard on her left arm and shoulder, then bent backward and somersaulted through the bottom of the pipe. The impact was violent. The crowd gasped. Then everything stopped.
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Music inside the venue was cut. Competition paused for nearly ten minutes as medical teams rushed in. Liu did not immediately move. She was carefully stabilized and placed onto an emergency sled before being taken away on a stretcher. There has been no immediate official update on her condition.
For viewers around the world, this was a stark reminder of the risks these athletes take every time they drop into the halfpipe. Snowboarding at this level is explosive and precise. Riders launch themselves several meters into the air, spinning and flipping while traveling at high speed. One small miscalculation can lead to devastating consequences.
Liu is not just any competitor. She is one of China’s most accomplished snowboarders, a pioneer in the sport and a role model for a new generation of riders. At 33, she represents both experience and resilience in a field increasingly dominated by younger athletes. She had scored 62.75 on her first run, leaving her just outside the qualification mark. That final attempt was her chance to extend her Olympic journey.
This incident also raises broader questions about athlete safety and the fine margins between pushing limits and protecting long-term health. The Winter Olympics celebrate courage and skill, but moments like this remind us of the human cost that can accompany elite performance.
As the competition continues, concern now shifts from rankings and medals to Liu Jiayu’s recovery. The global sporting community will be watching closely for updates on her condition.
Stay with us for verified developments on this story and continuing coverage from the Winter Games.
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