Quote: ThePrinter "I agree. I get Sal's point about it be the ultimate challenge to win an Olympic gold so of course it should be difficult but they seemed to go beyond that to almost reckless/careless. It says it all about the course when we are relieved that it's 'only'.a severe concussion and three spinal fractures. Perhaps also 'fortunate' that she was on her own and not in a group of 3/4 that could've caused mutiple injuries.
As for others making it down safely, I'd imagine that with her being in 1st place at the time that others may have gotten a heads up to use caution going into that particular turn, especially as she still lay motionless on the side of it. In the gymnastics that's just an unfortunate injury that can happen in sport and whilst cyclists know that crashes come with the territory, this was pretty much asking for something serious to happen.'"
I thought straight away at the time when she didn't move at all that she had broken her neck, was awful viewing. I fully agree the course should be difficult for the Olympics - but not so barbaric that any mistake not just costs you the race but potentially your career. I do however think she got the speed and angle of entry into that particular turn all wrong, she was far too narrow for the tight bend under no pressure from other riders - I guess they will have ridden the course many times before the actual race (?) so that turn shouldn't have been a surprise.... however mistakes like that should cost time allowing the pack to catch up somewhat, not have you speared into a concrete wall fracturing your back!