The entire Olympics community is holding its collective breath and praying that Saya Sakakibara is alright after she was stretchered off the track following a massive crash in the BMX event at the Tokyo Olympics.
Sakakibara was leading her semi-final race when she appeared to collide with American opponent Alise Willoughby.
As their wheels got caught up during an overtake, both riders hit the deck with huge force and medical staff sprung into action to help out.
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Clearly injured, Sakakibara lay motionless on the course before being stretchered off for further examination.
According to Australian broadcaster Channel 7, Sakakibara was visibly "shaken" and officials are continuing to monitor her condition.
Thankfully, it's understood she was conscious.
The live scenes on the course were so confronting that Channel 7 decided not to air them immediately, although replays later on showed just how devastated Willoughby was, breaking down in tears in the arms of her coach.
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Unfortunately, Sakakibara and Willoughby are all too familiar with awful BMX accidents.
Sakakibara's older brother Kai was on course to compete at the Tokyo Olympics but a terrible crash less than a year ago left him with permanent brain damage to the point where he needed to relearn how to walk and talk again.
Willoughby's husband Sam was actually an Olympic silver medallist for Australia too, although he was involved in a devastating BMX accident which left him paralysed.
Upon hearing the news of Sakakibara's injuries, fans from around the globe flocked to social media to pay tribute and wish her a speedy recovery.
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Let's hope she's OK.
Topics: olympics, Tokyo Olympics, injury, Race, Australia
