Elise Christie taken to hospital after Winter Olympics crash

Elise Christie was taken out of the Gangneung Ice Arena on a stretcher after crashing on the last bend of her semi-final heat.
By The Newsroom
Published 17th Feb 2018, 12:41 BST
Updated 17th Feb 2018, 13:47 BST
Elise Christie of Britain is attended to after crashing during her women's 1500 meters short track speedskating semifinal in the Winter Olympics. Picture; APElise Christie of Britain is attended to after crashing during her women's 1500 meters short track speedskating semifinal in the Winter Olympics. Picture; AP
Elise Christie of Britain is attended to after crashing during her women's 1500 meters short track speedskating semifinal in the Winter Olympics. Picture; AP

Christie tried to cut through to take second place but took out China’s Li Jinyu and slid into the barriers, where she was tended by medics.

The 27-year-old Great Britain medal hope was then taken out of the arena as the official race scoreboard showed that she had also been penalised.

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GB Chef de Mission Mike Hay said: “She took a heavy fall into the barrier.

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Scots speed skater Elise Christie crashes out of second Olympic event

“I’ve spoken to the performance director, Stewart Laing, who is in the ambulance with her on the way to hospital but it’s too early to tell - she’s going to have scans and we will see exactly what the story is.

“I saw her being carried off and a doctor is also in the ambulance with her but it’s too early to tell, we’ve got to give them a chance to scan and see.

“It’s tough but right now it doesn’t really matter about the race or whatever, it’s really her health we’re concerned about and the scan will tell us.”

Elise Christie is transported from the ice on a stretcher after crashing. Picture; APElise Christie is transported from the ice on a stretcher after crashing. Picture; AP
Elise Christie is transported from the ice on a stretcher after crashing. Picture; AP

Christie had earlier negotiated her heat comfortably.

But she has now crashed out of the 1500m and 500m events, leaving the 1000m as her remaining hope of an elusive Olympic medal, if she is fit enough to compete after her crash tonight.

Christie was hoping to her put her Sochi 2014 nightmare behind her in Pyeongchang but so far it has been a case of deja vu for the Scot.

A Team GB spokesperon said: “Following the race Elise Christie was taken to hospital accompanied by the team doctor, team physio and team leader.

Elise Christie is transported from the ice on a stretcher after crashing. Picture; APElise Christie is transported from the ice on a stretcher after crashing. Picture; AP
Elise Christie is transported from the ice on a stretcher after crashing. Picture; AP

“She has had an X-ray on her right ankle which has shown that there are no broken bones. Team GB medical staff will continue to assess her over the coming days.

“Elise wants to thank everyone for their support and the hospital staff who assessed her so quickly.”

Related topics:ChinaGreat Britain