An Australian athlete has revealed the horrific injury he suffered before he was rushed into emergency surgery.
The Olympic Games is a celebration of sport and the pinnacle of an athlete's career, but sometimes things can go seriously wrong.
The 2024 Paris Games are less than a week old, but already there have been a few close calls.
On Monday an Australian surfer revealed he almost drowned during a surfing heat, a day after his compatriot Luke Plapp was rushed to hospital with a gruesome injury.
Advert
Australian cyclist Plapp was competing in the men's individual time trial when he came off his bike just after the 13.1 kilometre checkpoint.
The course was extremely wet and slippery on Sunday, causing the 23-year-old - competing in his first Olympics - to crash and skid into the barriers at the side of the road.
Plapp was rushed to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery for a nasty wound on his abdomen.
On Tuesday, the cyclist took to Instagram to share an update on his condition along with photos of his injury.
"Paris 2024.....I had dreamt of this day for the last 3 years - not how I had imagined it, but I will definitely remember you,' he posted.
"Still in hospital for the time being, but lucky to have my best mates by my side and support from everyone....See you in 1,445 days LA [ the next Olympic Games in 2028]."
Among the images Plapp shared was one of his stab-like wound, along with another of him sucking on a green Penthrox whistle, a pain killer offered to patients experiencing significant pain.
Plapp - a three-time national road race champion and two-time national time trial winner - was set to compete in the Olympic road race alongside fellow Aussie riders Michael Matthews and Simon Clarke on August 3.
He has been replaced by Ben O'Connor.
Alex Brotherton