At the Olympic Winter Games in Milan-Cortina 2026, Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayou confirmed that she did not suffer spinal injuries after a horrific fall during the women’s halfpipe qualification. The incident occurred on February 11, 2026, in Livigno, Italy.
Liu Jiayou, a 33-year-old athlete who won a silver medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, suffered a serious injury landing on her back during her second run. “It was scary,” commented witnesses who observed Liu remaining on the ground for a long time before she was carried off the field on a sled.
A preliminary medical examination conducted on-site showed that the athlete was conscious. She was transported to a medical facility for further evaluation, where it was determined that her spine had no abnormalities. The athlete received treatment for a head injury and remains conscious.
Competitors' performances in qualification
In light of Liu Jiayou's fall, Chloe Kim from the USA managed to achieve an impressive result, taking first place with a score of 90.25 points. She is aiming to become the first snowboarder to win three consecutive gold medals in halfpipe. Another strong contender in the final will be Sara Takanashi from Japan, who finished in second place with a score of 87.50 points.
Liu Jiayou was one of the veterans on the team, which is important for the development of Chinese snowboarding, particularly in the halfpipe discipline, requiring athletes to masterfully combine height, rotation, and style. Together with Liu, Cai Xueotong is preparing for the final after successful qualifications in the top 12, with Cai finishing fifth with a score of 83.00 points.
The final of the women's halfpipe is scheduled for the evening of February 12, 2026, where spectators are looking forward to emotional performances from the world’s leading female snowboarders, against the background of concerns for Liu Jiayou's health.
