Team GB star taken to hospital after suffering horrific crash during Olympic BMX race
The athlete has been taken to hospital.
A Team GB star was stretchered off the course by medics after suffering a horror crash at the Paris Olympcis.
Kye Whyte was competing in the BMX racing semi-final on Friday when he lost control of his bike after the first jump and swerved off course.
Paramedics rushed over to Whyte while he was on the floor and were seen placing an oxygen mask over his face.
The 24-year-old was then lifted onto a stretcher and carried away, although he appeared to be awake and speaking to the medics.
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Whyte had been struggling with a back injury that he aggravated during the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Team GB have released the following statement: "Following his crash in tonight's BMX racing semi-final, Kye Whyte was assessed immediately by the on-site medical team and team doctor, with no significant injuries reported.
"This was followed up by further immediate review by Great Britain Cycling Team doctor Nigel Jones.
"Initial reports are positive but he is being taken to hospital for further assessment.
"We wish Kye a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on his bike very soon."
Whyte was one of the favourites to reach the final after he made history at the last Olympics.
He took silver in the BMX racing in Tokyo in 2021 to become the first-ever Team GB athlete to medal in the sport.
Whyte missed the rest of the semi-final heats and so did not qualify for the final.
The 24-year-old has suffered plenty of injuries during his career; a crash at 13 years old left him in a five-day coma with a bleed on the brain and significant injuries on the left side of his face.
He missed an entire year of school and did not ride for a year-and-a-half.
Alex Brotherton