US skier Nina O'Brien suffers horrifying crash in Olympics giant slalom event: 'She is alert and responsive'
American Mikaela Shiffrin, the event's defending gold medal champion, was eliminated after suffering a fall during Monday’s opening run
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Team USA alpine racer Nina O’Brien suffered a terrifying crash during her second run of the women’s giant slalom event at the Beijing Winter Olympics on Monday, suffering a serious leg injury.
O’Brien, who finished the first run with the sixth-fastest time, appeared to lose her balance just before crossing the finish line.
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}USA's Nina O'Brien crashes in the second run of the women's giant slalom during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing on Feb. 7, 2022. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP via Getty Images)
The 24-year-old California native slid across the finish, screaming in pain, before being attended to by medical personnel. O’Brien eventually left the course on a stretcher with what appeared to be a serious left leg injury.
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USA's Nina O'Brien falls in the second run of the women's giant slalom during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing on Feb. 7, 2022. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)
U.S. Ski and Snowboard team said that O’Brien was "alert and responsive" after the crash and was being transported for further evaluation.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}According to Yahoo Sports, O’Brien was the third of four U.S. competitors not to finish the event.
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USA's Nina O'Brien receives medical assistance after a bad fall in the second run of the women's giant slalom during the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games at the Yanqing National Alpine Skiing Centre in Yanqing on Feb. 7, 2022. (JOE KLAMAR/AFP via Getty Images)
American Mikaela Shiffrin, the event's defending gold medal champion, was eliminated herself after suffering a fall during Monday’s opening run. Swedish racer Sara Hector took home the gold with Paula Moltzan finishing 12th, the top spot for the Americans.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Today was one of the most turbulent days I have ever experienced," Shiffrin wrote in a statement posted on Twitter. "... we’re so heartbroken of Nina O’Brien… she showed so much heart and fire in her skiing today, and it all got shredded to pieces on the final turn."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.