An Australian snowboarder was airlifted to the hospital after breaking his neck while training at the Winter Olympics.
MILAN, Italy — Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton will not have a chance to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics after fracturing his neck in two places during a training crash in Italy.
The 35-year-old fell heavily during a snowboard cross training session in Livigno, Italy on Monday while preparing for competition, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
He initially walked away from the fall and appeared to be uninjured, but woke up the next day with severe pain in his neck. Scans later revealed two fractures, ABC said.
Bolton was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital in Milan for treatment.
Alisa Camplin-Warner, Australia’s chef de mission for the Milan Cortina Games, said Bolton is “doing well” as he recovers in the hospital. She said Bolton wanted his teammates to understand what happened and that he was being cared for.
Bolton had been scheduled to compete in the men’s seeding round of the snowboard cross competition Thursday, Feb. 12, and was also expected to take part in the mixed team event. He will be replaced by James Johnstone, who will make his Olympic debut.
Bolton is the second Australian snowboarder to withdraw from the Games after a training fall this week. Snowboard halfpipe athlete Misaki Vaughan was also ruled out after sustaining a concussion during training Tuesday. Under concussion protocol, she is out for seven days and will not be replaced.
“Our hearts go out to Cam & Misaki,” the Australian Olympic team said in an Instagram post. “We wish them well in their recovery and hope to see them out on course again soon.”
Bolton was set to compete in what would have been his fourth Winter Olympics. He finished 13th at the 2022 Beijing Games, the highest placing by an Australian male snowboarder in the event.