Ice skater in hospital with life-threatening injuries after fall in Winter Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony rehearsal

Thirty-five-year-old woman is fighting for her life in Lausanne after suffering a five-metre fall ahead of Thursday’s opening ceremony

A women suffered a five-metre fall in rehearsals for the Winter Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony (Getty )

A performer has been left with life-threatening injuries after suffering a fall in rehearsals for the Winter Youth Olympic Games opening ceremony in Lausanne, prompting a police investigation.

Wednesday’s International Olympic Committee meeting in Switzerland was overshadowed by the news that emerged from the Vaudoise Arena ice rink, where an unnamed Russian skater fell from a height of five metre when being lifted by a large metal ring attached to the roof.

The 35-year-old, who lives in Germany, was seriously injured after losing her balance and falling onto the ice, and is currently fighting for her life Lausanne University Hospital.

"We are very saddened by this incident and we have been following closely all the developments," IOC President Thomas Bach said on Wednesday at a launch event for the Games.

Lausanne 2020 organising committee president Virginie Faivre said that there will be “slight changes” to the ceremony as a result, and added: "We have been all really very touched about what happened and we want to send our thoughts to her and her family.”

Police have said that the inquiry must try to establish "the reasons, the circumstances and possible responsibilities in this accident," with a statement adding that the skater’s life is currently “in danger” due to the extensive injuries.

The university hospital where the skater is being treated, known locally by its acronym CHUV, is "one of the top-10 hospitals" in the world, said Faivre, a former world champion freestyle skier.

The two-week games open on Thursday with a ceremony at the new arena, which will also host games at the men's hockey world championships in May.