Rowan Cheshire faces missing out on Olympic run

BRITISH halfpipe skier Rowan Cheshire is likely to withdraw from her first Winter Olympics after suffering a training accident on Sunday night which left her concussed and with bruises to her face.

A cut and bruised Rowan Cheshire after an accident during training on Sunday. Picture: Twitter

The 18-year-old, from Alsager, Cheshire, was released from hospital yesterday and is recovering at the athletes’ village but concerns remain over her ability to be ready for her event at the Rosa Khutor Extreme Park on Thursday.

The extent of Cheshire’s ­injuries were evident in a photograph she posted of herself on Twitter yesterday morning, displaying cuts and bruising, with the message: “Wasn’t the best day yesterday, still don’t remember much! Thanks everyone for the lovely messages.”

Medical guidelines issued by International Ski Federation, the sport’s governing body, advise that in the event of concussion and with a properly managed recovery, “it is possible for the athlete to return to play after a minimum of six days”.

The British Olympic Association (BOA) said: “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.”

The BOA added that the ­decision will be made between Cheshire, chief medical officer Niall Elliott, freestyle skiing performance director Paddy Mortimer and freestyle skiing physio Alison Robb.

Withdrawal would be a major blow for Cheshire, who is considered a medal prospect after winning her first World Cup title in Calgary last month.

In the women’s snowboard cross competition, Norway’s Helene Olafsen and American Jacqueline Hernandez were stretchered off the course after accidents in qualification.