Livigno, Italy – Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris is out of hospital and is currently being evaluated after a crash during big air training on Wednesday night at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games. While the fall initially raised serious concerns, updates indicate the three-time Olympic bronze medallist is “feeling good,” according to Team Canada.
The incident occurred as McMorris was preparing for Thursday’s big air qualification round. He was stretchered off the slope following the crash, prompting immediate medical attention. Brendan Matthews, Canada Snowboard’s vice-president of business development and partnerships, confirmed McMorris was taken to hospital late Wednesday and subsequently released.
“He’s up this morning. He’s feeling good,” Matthews said on Thursday, speaking from near the big air course. “He’ll go through routine testing with our medical team in the Village today and they’ll make a decision by 4 o’clock local time this afternoon on whether or not he can go for big air [qualifying] tonight.”
The qualifying round is scheduled for Thursday evening in Livigno, with the final event slated for Saturday. The decision regarding McMorris’s participation will be made collaboratively between the athlete and the Canadian medical staff, prioritizing his health and safety.
Matthews described the crash as a “freak accident,” explaining that McMorris had successfully landed the trick he was attempting but caught some loose snow with his heel edge, resulting in a hard fall. “In our sport, we like to call it a ‘snow snake’ that comes up and bites you out of nowhere,” he added.
Despite the initial scare, Matthews emphasized that the situation appears positive. “It always looks scary when someone takes a hard fall like that, but all things considered it’s good news,” he stated.
Should McMorris be deemed unfit to compete in the big air event, he will remain eligible for the slopestyle competition, which is scheduled for qualification on February 16th, with the final taking place two days later. However, the Canadian team would be unable to replace him in the big air field should he withdraw.
The big air ramp in Livigno is known for its imposing size, exceeding 50 metres, and presents a significant challenge for competitors. McMorris previously finished 10th in big air at both the Pyeongchang and Beijing Olympics.
McMorris is a highly respected figure within the Canadian snowboarding team, boasting an impressive record of 25 X Games medals in addition to his three Olympic bronze medals. Fellow Canadian snowboarder Cameron Spalding previously spoke to McMorris’s character, stating, “He’s been the best forever…If you ever have any questions for him or just go have a conversation with him, you would never know talking to him that he’s one of the best snowboarders that’s ever lived. He’s a great dude, and I’m thankful that we get to ride with him a bunch and can learn from him.”
The incident brings into focus McMorris’s history with serious injuries. He suffered life-threatening injuries in 2017 after colliding with a tree during a backcountry ride, requiring the insertion of rods in his leg and plates in his arm and jaw. He has endured numerous other injuries throughout his career.
Eric Myles, the Canadian Olympic Committee’s chief sport officer, addressed the crash, stating, “The most important right now, Mark is doing fine.” He confirmed that Mike Wilkinson, the COC’s chief medical officer, and Dr. Rod French, Freestyle Canada’s chief medical officer, are working closely with McMorris to assess his condition.
“We’re not going to take a chance for the health of an athlete,” Myles emphasized. “We’re working with them to put them in the best condition to compete, but also to make a decision if a different decision needs to be taken.”
