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Canadian snowboarder Mark McMorris will miss the men’s big air competition at the Milano-Cortina Olympic Games following a head injury sustained in a training crash on Wednesday night.
Medical teams from Canada Snowboard and the Canadian Olympic Committee evaluated the 32-year-old athlete and determined he should sit out Thursday night’s big air qualification as a precaution.
In a social media update, the Regina native said he remains hopeful about competing in the slopestyle event starting February 16. “I took a fall last night and hit my head, so I won’t be competing in big air tonight,” McMorris shared. “But things are looking better for slopestyle, so I’m focusing on that and staying positive.”
Brendan Matthews, vice-president of business development and partnerships for Canada Snowboard, said McMorris was briefly taken to a hospital Wednesday evening but released shortly after. “He’s up this morning and feeling good,” Matthews added, noting that while the crash looked alarming, it was a routine precaution in extreme sports.
The fall occurred when McMorris landed the trick he was attempting but caught some loose snow with his heel edge, resulting in a hard fall. Matthews described it as a “freak accident” caused by the unpredictable nature of the slope.
McMorris, a three-time Olympic bronze medalist in slopestyle, spent the night at the Olympic Village. Teammates Eli Bouchard and Cameron Spalding confirmed he is recovering well. “Crashes are part of the sport,” Bouchard said. “He’s doing fine, and the team is taking care of him.”
Eric Myles, chief sport officer for the Canadian Olympic Committee, emphasized athlete safety as the top priority. “We’re making sure Mark is in the best condition to compete, but his health comes first,” he said.
Big air remains one of snowboarding’s most challenging events, with athletes descending a 50-metre-high scaffolded hill, highlighting the inherent risks in the sport. Despite the setback, McMorris continues to focus on upcoming competitions, demonstrating his resilience and determination.
