Olympic medallist dies after horror crash with heartbreaking statement released

Olympic cyclist Toshiaki Fushimi has died after a frightening crash during the Matsusaka Keirin last weekend.

Fushimi, 50, won a silver medal with his Japanese teammates at the Athens 2004 Games and was highly successful keirin cyclist with 619 race wins.

Tragically, he crashed during the Matsusaka Keirin in Matsusaka, Mie Prefecture, on Saturday (July 18) sustaining critical injuries.

In an attempt to avoid a pile-up of other riders, Fushimi crashed into a safety barrier at the side of the track, suffering fractures to his cervical vertebrae and skull

Following the crash, the sport’s national governing body, the Japan Keirin Association (JKA), confirmed the devastating news that he had passed away at 10.15am on Sunday.

In a statement, the chairman of the JKA, Hiroshi Kido said: “It is truly heartbreaking that he lost his life in an accident during a race. We will reconfirm our safety measures and thoroughly ensure fair and safe races.”

The Japanese cycling legend won silver in Athens in the 2004 Games, competing in the men’s team sprint event alongside Masaki Inoue and Tomohiro Nagatsuka.

Fushimi made his professional debut in the keirin, which sees a group of six riders start behind a motorised pacemaker which gradually speeds up before peeling off, in 1995.

Throughout a career spanning more than three decades he won 619 races, five G1 titles and the Keirin Grand Prix twice, in 2001 and 2007.

After a four-year lay-off, he returned to racing in May this year.

Tributes pour in after Toshiaki Fushimi dies in tragic cycling crash

Shortly after confirmation of the tragic news, Malaysian former professional cyclist Josiah Ng Onn Lam paid tribute to his former rival on Instagram.

“Toshiaki Fushimi wasn’t just a competitor. He was one of the best Keirin riders Japan has ever produced. Grand Prix winner. Olympic Silver Medalist. A true professional on the track," he wrote.

“We raced against each other for years. That kind of rivalry builds a respect that doesn’t fade.

“Devastated to hear he lost his life doing what he loved. My thoughts are with his family and the entire Keirin community in Japan. Rest in peace, champion.”

Fellow Racer Yudai Nitta also issued a statement thanking the cycling legend, whom he considered a mentor, while promising to honour him with future results.

Nitta worte: "He was the one who taught me what it means to be able to participate in the Olympics.’

"He also taught me how to behave when competing as a keirin racer,’ he said. ‘Fushimi was someone who always sought results. Those of us who are left behind want to respond by producing results. I think that would make him happy.’

Shoko Inoue, who raced with Fushimi on Japan’s national team, added: "He was very serious and had a solid way of thinking, so there were times when I was concerned about him.

"All that we who are left can do is work hard, and we have no choice but to show him that we can do that."