A frightening moment unfolded at the 2026 Winter Olympics when Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu was left motionless on the snow following a heavy crash during the women’s halfpipe qualifiers.

The incident occurred during the qualification round at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina. Liu, a seasoned competitor and one of China’s most recognizable names in snowboarding, appeared to catch the edge of her board on the snow as she attempted a trick in the halfpipe. The miscalculation sent her crashing down hard onto the icy surface.

Witnesses watched in stunned silence as Liu was flung across the snow and landed awkwardly. She immediately stopped moving, lying still on the course. The arena’s music was cut as officials and spectators quickly realized the severity of the fall, creating an eerie hush throughout the venue.

Medical personnel rushed onto the course within moments. Liu remained motionless as doctors assessed her condition, raising concerns that she may have suffered a head or neck injury. Given the violent nature of the impact, fears of a serious spinal issue were also initially considered.

According to reports from Chinese outlet Xinhua Sports, early indications suggest that her spine is unlikely to have been injured. However, the full extent of her condition was not immediately confirmed at the time of the incident.

After several tense minutes, Liu was carefully stabilized and placed onto a rescue sled. She was then escorted off the course by medical staff and transported to a nearby hospital for further evaluation. It was reported that she may have briefly lost consciousness following the crash, though officials have yet to release detailed medical findings.

The dramatic fall forced event organizers to suspend competition for nearly 10 minutes as emergency procedures were carried out. Fellow competitors looked visibly shaken, and many appeared emotional as they awaited updates on Liu’s condition.

Liu, who has previously represented China on the Olympic stage and earned international recognition for her performances in the halfpipe, was considered one of the experienced athletes in the field. Her presence in Milan Cortina marked another chapter in an already accomplished career.

Snowboarding, particularly in the halfpipe discipline, is known for its high-risk nature. Athletes perform aerial tricks at significant heights, where even minor technical errors can lead to severe consequences. Liu’s crash served as a stark reminder of the dangers competitors face each time they drop into the pipe.

As fans and fellow athletes await further medical updates, messages of concern and support have begun circulating online. The Olympic community remains hopeful that Liu’s injuries are not as serious as initially feared.

For now, the focus remains on her health and recovery after one of the most alarming moments of the Games so far