Markus Schairer, a snowboarder from Austria, crashed during the men’s snowboard cross quarterfinal round at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang and broke a vertebra in his neck.
Schairer landed on his back off the second-to-last jump of the race. He was able to get back to his feet and cross the finish line.
The Austrian Olympic Committee said Schairer is in stable condition in the hospital without neurological impairments. He’s expected to be brought back to Austria for more treatment.
Schairer, 30, has never medaled at the Olympics but won gold at the 2009 Snowboarding World Championships and a silver at the 2008 Winter X Games for snowboard cross.
• Adam Zielonka can be reached at azielonka@washingtontimes.com.
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