Connor Fields, an American BMX racer who sustained a brain hemorrhage following an accident while competing at the Tokyo Games on Friday, is scheduled to come back to his Las Vegas home by week’s end, his father confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.
“He’s doing pretty good but he’ll be tested when we get back,’’ according to a text message from Mike Fields on Wednesday.
The USA Cycling said there has been no further bleeding and no additional head injuries were found from Fields following the crash. His father said that the 29-year-old racer also suffered a broken rib and hurt his lung in the crash.
A three-time Olympian, Fields brought home the gold at the 2016 Rio Games. He crashed during a semifinal competition at Ariake Urban Sports Park.
According to Romain Mahieu of France, he was running second when his front wheel seemed to have caught the back wheel of the leading racer.
This caused him to drop down to the ground and a couple of other riders tumbled over him. He was retrieved from the course using a stretcher and was carried by ambulance towards a hospital.
The crash was “a great, hard slam,” exclaimed Carlos Ramirez Yepes of Colombia who was following next to Field.
“Every time you get on the gate, there’s a risk,’’ he said.
Gold medalist Niek Kimmann of Netherlands expressed his sorrow for Field who failed to defend his Olympic gold from the Rio Games.
“I hope he’s OK,’’ Kimmann said. “I think he’s been a great ambassador of the sport.’’
