This is the horrendous moment a French gymnast’s Olympics were ended in a single moment after he severely broke his left leg while landing on a vault.
Samir Ait Said’s leg snapped as he tried to complete his vault during team preliminaries on Saturday, with the sound of the injury echoing through the arena.
As he crumpled to the floor, Said writhed in agony while medical officials tended to him in front of a shocked crowd.
A steward struggles to hide his grimace as Said crashes to the mat, having broken his leg while attempting to land his vault
The athlete’s leg bent awkwardly as he tried to land, the sound of the injury echoing through the arena
Said writhed on the ground in agony while medical officials tended to his horrific injury (left), while the athlete gave the crowd a wave following a standing ovation (right)
Several viewers watching on television took to social media to express their shock after the incident was broadcast live, with many detailing the loudness of the ‘crack’
After a delay of several minutes, he was eventually wheeled out and raised one arm to acknowledge the loud ovation he received from the crowd.
Several viewers watching on television took to social media to express their shock after the incident was broadcast live, with many detailing the loudness of the ‘crack’.
The injury means Said will leave the Olympics prematurely, having also been expected to compete in the men’s parallel bars, the individual all-round, the team all-round, floor exercise, rings and the pommel horse.
The 26-year-old, who competed at 2015’s World Championships in Glasgow, won gold on the rings at 2013’s European Championships and then silver in the same discipline in 2015.
The injury came minutes after Germany’s Andreas Toba hurt his knee during floor exercise.
Toba abandoned his routine and was helped off by trainers but managed to compete on pommel horse before exiting to receive medical attention.
Danny Pinheiro Rodrigues of France reacts following the horrific injury suffered by his national teammate Samir Ait Said
Medical staff attend to Said following the unfortunate injury, which has ended his hopes of winning a medal at the Rio Olympics
Said seems relatively calm as the Olympic athlete is treated by medical staff on call at this year’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro
After a delay of several minutes, he was eventually wheeled out and raised one arm to acknowledge the loud ovation he received from the crowd
Samir Ait Said is stretchered off after suffering the horrendous injury, receiving a rousing ovation from those watching
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