Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton has been airlifted to Milan after breaking his neck during training for the snowboard cross event at the Winter Olympics, ending his fourth Games campaign.
The 35-year-old veteran crashed on Monday and woke up with worsening neck pain the following day. Scans revealed two fractures, and he was transported by helicopter with a team official for further treatment.
Team chef de mission Alisa Camplin said Bolton was in good spirits and had been joined by his wife. “Cam wanted to make his teammates understood what was happening and that he was fine and doing well and being looked after well,” she said.
Bolton is the fourth Australian athlete to be sidelined by injury, following aerials medal favourite Laura Peel, freeskier Daisy Thomas, and snowboard halfpipe Olympian Misaki Vaughan. Camplin noted that injuries are not unusual in high-risk winter sports.
Bolton was replaced by debutant James Johnstone in the men's seeding round. Meanwhile, Olympic champion Jakara Anthony topped moguls qualifying, continuing her unbeaten streak.
