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Canadian Olympic big air snowboarder Mark McMorris was forced to abandon the event after suffering a serious fall during training for the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Wednesday.
McMorris had won a gold medal in the big air competition at the 2021 World Championships and was expected to challenge for a podium spot at this year’s Winter Olympics. But the serious spill led to him being carried off the slopes on a stretcher and landed him briefly in hospital.
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Stretcher of medical staff Mark McMorris of Canada after crashing during a big air snowboard training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
“I hit my head and unfortunately I won’t be able to compete in big air tonight,” he wrote in a post on Instagram.
McMorris added that he will be ready to compete in the Slopestyle event, which begins on February 16. He has three Olympic bronze medals in this event.
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Mark McMorris of Canada trains during a big air snowboard practice session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
“I’m just trying to stay positive and focus on this event. A big thank you to the incredible medical staff who took great care of me, and to everyone who reached out to me with so much love and support.”
Canadian snowboard official Brendan Matthews said McMorris was quickly released from the hospital. He said it was standard protocol to be taken off on a stretcher.
“It’s always scary when someone takes a fall that hard, but all things considered, it’s good news,” Matthews said.
Australian Val Guseli should replace McMorris in big air. He usually participates in the halfpipe competition.
Mark McMorris of Canada reacts after a fall during a big air snowboard training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, February 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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He won a silver medal in halfpipe at the 2023 World Championships and a bronze medal at the 2023 Winter X Games during the SuperPipe competition.
