Team GB star Kye Whyte had to be stretchered off while competing in the men’s BMX racing semi-final at the 2024 Olympics on Friday night after an ugly crash. The 24-year-old was a medal hopeful in Paris after winning silver at the Tokyo Games in 2021 but lost control of his bike after the first jump.
He then uncontrollably swerved before the second ramp and crashed into the dirt track, prompting paramedics to rush to his need.
Whyte was pictured being lifted onto a stretcher and carried off the track while receiving oxygen before he was taken to hospital for further treatment.
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He was absent from the third heat, ruling him out of the final and ending his hopes to add another Olympic medal to his resume.
Shortly after Whyte’s accident, British Cycling provided a positive update about his condition and confirmed he was receiving attention in hospital.
“Following his crash in tonight’s BMX racing semi-final, Kye Whyte was assessed immediately by the on-site medical team,” a spokesperson said.
“This was followed up by further immediate review by Great Britain Cycling Team doctor Nigel Jones.
“Initial reports are positive, but he is being taken to hospital for further assessment.
“We wish Kye a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on his bike very soon.”
Whyte was hampered by a back injury heading into the Paris Games, and he struggled through the quarter-finals on Thursday.
He insisted he would “fight on”, but he could only finish fifth in his first heat and was near the back of the field when he came off his bike – seemingly not under contact from a rival – in the second.
Despite Whyte’s devastation, Team GB are going for gold in Friday’s finals when Beth Shriever attempts to defend her Olympic title in the women’s race.
Shriever won gold in Tokyo three years ago and looked impressive in the heats, offering optimism she can deliver Team GB’s 10th gold medal of the 2024 Olympics.
France secured an incredible one-two-three finish in the men’s final, with Joris Daudet cementing himself as the greatest of all time by crossing the line first.
Sylvain Andre clinched silver and Romain Mahieu took bronze in a dominant showing on a track they have trained on for the past decade.
