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Winter Olympics 2014: Team GB freestyle skier Rowan Cheshire recovering from facial injuries and concussion after halfpipe accident

Cheshire posted a picture on Twitter of her injuries and thanked everyone for their messages of support

Jack de Menezes
Monday 17 February 2014 10:49 GMT
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Rowan Cheshire posted this picture on Twitter showing the extent of her injuries from a skiing accident
Rowan Cheshire posted this picture on Twitter showing the extent of her injuries from a skiing accident

Great Britain freestyle skier Rowan Cheshire will be discharged from hospital on Monday after being treated for facial injuries and concussion which she suffered during a training run on the halfpipe ski course in Sochi.

The 18-year-old was taken to hospital after she was knocked unconscious when she suffered the accident while practicing at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on Sunday, and she later posted a picture on her Twitter account revealing her injuries along with the message: “Wasn't the best day yesterday, still don't remember much! Thanks everyone for the lovely messages.”

The British Olympic Association issued a statement on Monday to confirm that the teenager will leave hospital today and return to the Athlete’s Mountain Village where medics will continue her treatment.

“Team GB halfpipe skier Rowan Cheshire had a restful night in hospital following her fall during training last night,” the BOA statement read.

“Cheshire will be discharged today after the doctors were happy with her progress. She will return to the Athlete's Mountain Village where she will be looked after by Team GB medical staff.

“Her progress will be monitored on a day to day basis as is standard with concussion and a determination regarding her ability to compete will be made later this week.”

Cheshire is a genuine medal hope for Team GB ahead of her scheduled ski halfpipe event on Thursday, although a decision on her participation will be made later in the week.

Her inclusion is unlikely though, given that the sport's governing body the FIS advise that "it is possible for the athlete to return to play after a minimum of six days" following a concussion.

She claimed her first World Cup title last month when she triumphed in Calgary.

Cheshire was not the only competitor to suffer a fall on Sunday, with the women’s snowboard cross competition – a firm favourite for fans since its introduction in 2006 – seeing a number of accidents with Norway’s Helene Olafsen and American Jacqueline Hernandez needing to be stretchered off the mountain course during the qualifying heats.

Switzerland’s aerial skier Christopher Lambert was another to be taken to hospital after he suffered a suspected dislocated elbow in his own training accident, while Saturday saw Russian ski cross contender Maria Komissarova suffering a broken and dislocated spine which required a six-and-a-half hour operation in the nearby hospital of Krasnaya Polyana, before being transferred to Munich in Germany for specialist treatment.


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