French cyclist Loana Lecomte was knocked unconscious after she was involved in a nasty fall during the women's cross-country mountain bike race.
Annecy-born Lecomte took an early lead in the early stages of Sunday's race at the Olympic course in Elancourt.
But after being passed by her compatriot, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, on a tight section of uneven track, the 24-year-old crashed into the rocky terrain after going over her handlebars.
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Lecomte appeared to hit her head on a nearby log, which left her unconscious for a moment, according to French journalist Nicolas Georgereau.
"She is fine and was taken care of by the medical service," he added in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "No worries at this stage."
French outlet L'Equipe suggest the cyclist suffered head trauma from the crash as well as a "relatively minor jaw injury." Footage soon emerged of Lecomte being escorted from the course on the back of a stretcher as fans showed their support from the Olympian.
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"All our support for Loana Lecomte," said X account SPORTRICOLORE. "You will come back stronger and hope that the fall is not too serious."
A fan commented: "All our support for Loana Lecomte," while another added: "Oh my god I hope everything is okay."
Ferrand-Prevot, who finished 10th at Tokyo 2020 and recorded a DNF at Rio 2016, went on to secure the gold medal in Sunday's women's cross-country mountain bike race.
"I’m struggling to realise," she said after the race. "I had a perfect race and a perfect preparation... It’s a great feeling but to be honest, I don’t realise yet, so I even don’t know what to say.”
French president Emmanuel Macron congratulated the winner on her success before mentioning Lecomte in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
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"GOLD again! Congratulations to Pauline Ferrand-Prévot who gives us the second gold medal of these games on her mountain bike," he wrote. "What a lead, what a race, a flawless performance!
Macron added: "Congratulations to Loana Lecomte who we think of after her fall but who was not unworthy."
Haley Batten of the USA secured the silver medal whilst Jenny Rissveds of Sweden claimed bronze.
Topics: Olympics
Jack Kenmare