China track cyclist Yuan Liying has to be helped off velodrome after causing hard keirin crash
Chinese cyclist Yuan Liying required assistance to leave the track after causing a significant crash during the women’s keirin event on Thursday at the Paris Olympics. The incident occurred just as Yuan was on the brink of advancing to the quarterfinals, but her hopes were dashed in a dramatic turn of events.
The keirin event, consisting of six laps, begins with cyclists following a motorized bike called a derny for three laps. Once the derny exits the track, the cyclists sprint for the remaining three laps. The race is known for its close and intense competition right up to the finish line.
In the race, Lea Friedrich of Germany, world champion Ellesse Andrews of New Zealand, and Belgium’s Nicky Degrendele secured their spots in the semifinals, leaving Yuan to fight for the final qualifying position. As she attempted to overtake Dutch cyclist Steffie van der Peet in a non-existent gap near the finish line, both riders crashed on the first turn. The collision sent helmet fragments and bike parts skidding across the track, causing Degrendele to fall as well. While Degrendele managed to stand and walk away, Van der Peet suffered a torn skinsuit and track burns but quickly recovered to prepare for the upcoming semifinals.
China track cyclist Yuan Liying must be supported to walk.
Yuan was the last to rise from the crash. Grimacing in pain, she needed the help of two coaches to walk off the track at the Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
Crashes are not uncommon in keirin cycling, especially when riders reach speeds of over 70 km/h (43 mph) during the sprint. The race was temporarily halted as workers patched and sanded down the dents and damage left on the pinewood surface of the track.
