American Luger Emily Sweeney Knocked Out of Olympics After Terrifying Crash
Team USA luger Emily Sweeney was knocked out of the Olympics after a terrifying crash in the final heat at the Pyeongchang Winter Games.
Sweeney, who was competing in the Olympics for the first time, lost control at curve 9 of the Alpensia Sliding Centre track, crashing against the sides before falling off her sled.
She was attended by medical personnel before finally standing up and walking, roughly ten minutes after her crash, the Associated Press reported.
Sweeney avoided sustaining any serious injury during her crash in the final heat of the competition, but she is still out of the games, according to AP.
Another MASSIVE crash, this time in luge. @hardwina and @Judson1360 commentary ???? @MattSkraby pic.twitter.com/ecLVDwdZZd
— XTRA 1360 (@XTRA1360) February 13, 2018
#SweenySmile Prevails - #USALuge Emily Sweeney crashed in curve 12. @TeamUSA Doc says she is OK. Emily walked down to talk with @NBCSports Lewis Johnson. Emily is now back at Olympic Village clinic for further evaluation. Photo: Alex Ptachick, USA TODAYhttps://t.co/jZ3O2NQYc5 pic.twitter.com/oiPu1umbeP
— USA Luge (@USA_Luge) February 13, 2018
Spectators and viewers at home took to social media, with some concerned that Sweeney appeared to have hit her head and neck.
Just a horrifying crash by Emily Sweeney. She got sideways out of 9, and started oscillating up and down 12, before her feet hit the roof, coming back down on her neck and head it looked like.
It's silent at the sliding center, she's out of the track and being looked at.— Ken Childs (@TheKenChilds) February 13, 2018
Just now Emily Sweeney of the USA ???????? #pyeongchangOlympics2018 has suffered an accident in the Luge. Our thoughts & and best wishes for her. pic.twitter.com/Ny9Q6dIQz0
— Charles (@BCChas) February 13, 2018
Sweeney was able to get up and flash a smile to fans as she walked alongside the track, where she was greeted with cheers.
The on-site doctor said that Sweeney was “banged up” but had no broken bones following the crash, USA Today reported. As she was helped into an ambulance, Sweeney reportedly assured spectators, “I’m fine.”
Doctors said she suffered bumps and bruises, according to the AP.