Olympic Snowboarder Suffers Neck Fracture During Competition
Australian snowboard cross athlete Cameron “Cam” Bolton suffered a neck fracture during an Olympic training session in Livigno, Italy. The incident occurred on Monday when he fell while preparing for his fourth Winter Olympics. Bolton was initially able to stand up and walk away from the scene, but he later experienced intense neck pain.
Medal-Winning Snowboarder in Recovery
Bolton, 35, won a silver medal in mixed snowboard cross at the World Championships last year in Engadine, Switzerland. However, his current condition puts his Olympic aspirations on hold.
Emergency Medical Care
- After waking up with severe pain, Bolton sought medical assistance.
- He has been diagnosed with two fractures in his neck.
- Due to the severity of his injuries, he was airlifted to Milan for treatment.
Alisa Camplin, the Australian team’s chief mission officer, reassured teammates that Bolton is in good hands and that he is receiving excellent medical care. Despite his situation, Bolton remains optimistic, supported by his wife.
Impact on the Team
This incident marks the fourth injury experienced by the Australian team, highlighting the challenging nature of winter sports. Other injured athletes include:
- Freestyle skier Laura Peel
- Young freestyle skier Daisy Thomas
- Snowboarder Misaki Vaughan, age 20
Camplin expressed her sadness over the injuries, acknowledging the hard work and dedication required to achieve Olympic dreams. Winter sports come with a high risk of injury, and the team is navigating these challenges as they prepare for the upcoming events.
