Australian Melissa Hoskins in hospital after heavy fall
By Peter Gilbert
Last Updated: 08/08/16 11:45pm
Australian cycling star Melissa Hoskins was taken from the Rio Olympics velodrome on a stretcher after her pursuit team suffered a heavy crash during training.
The 25-year-old was riding at high speed with team-mates Ashlee Ankudinoff, Georgia Baker, Amy Cure and Annette Edmondson when four of the five riders hit the boards on turn three.
Edmondson stayed on her bike as the other three riders fell hard onto the banked wooden track.
Hoskins was in obvious pain and was put in a back brace as a precaution before she was taken to a Rio de Janeiro hospital for further examination.
"Hoskins was stretchered off the track as a precaution and has been taken to hospital for assessment," a spokesman for the Australian Olympic team said.
"An update on her condition will be provided when available."
Ankudinoff, Baker and Cure walked off the track and were being treated for bruises and burns.
The team pursuit competition begins with qualifying on Thursday.
Hoskins's accident follows the horror crash of Annemiek van Vleuten during the women's road race on Sunday.
Van Vlueten broke her back in three places and remains in hospital after crashing while leading the race with 11km left to race.
The Dutch team's chief medical officer Cees Rein van den Hoogenband visited the 33-year-old on Monday.
"She is recovering positively from her injuries," said Van den Hoogenband. "She had a quiet night and still is in a stable condition.
"The doctors at the hospital did a MRI scan on her and there are no further casualties found. It is in her absolute interest that she has complete rest to help the recovery."
