Canadian gold medallist knocked unconscious after scary crash at Olympics
It was a moment that no spectator at the Olympics wants to witness.
During qualification for the women’s freestyle skiing halfpipe finals, former Olympic gold medallist Cassie Sharpe was off to a fantastic start during her run.
Then, disaster struck.
Sharpe lost her balance on a jump near the latter half of her run, smacking her head on the snow and falling unconscious.
SKI-ACROBATIQUE – Inquiétude après la chute de la skieuse Cassie Sharpe lors de sa deuxième manche de qualifications à la demi-lune.
Elle a chuté à la réception d'un saut après une première manche qui l'a placée en 3e position.@canfreestyleski @CassieSharpe #MilanoCortina2026… pic.twitter.com/nQKNlTQBJh
— Radio-Canada Sports (@RC_Sports) February 19, 2026
The crowd in attendance, including her parents, fell into utter silence as medical crews raced out to assist her.
After several minutes, staff were able to assist Sharpe by getting her on the medical sled. The crowd then erupted when she gave a wave while being taken off the course.
The CEO of Freestyle Canada later said that Sharpe was knocked unconscious but is in stable condition. She was taken to the Livigno clinic for further evaluation.
Sharpe, who won gold in 2018 and silver in 2022, finished the qualification round in third place.
During the broadcast, the commentators mentioned Sharpe’s “go-big-or-go-home mentality” when she competes in the halfpipe competition.
While this is Sharpe’s third Olympics, it’s the first time she’s been on the world’s biggest sporting stage as a mom.
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“Just because you’ve had a baby, doesn’t mean that your passions and your pursuits are done now,” she told CBC’s Tessa Virtue.
Her daugher, Lou, was born in August of 2023.
“I want Lou to be able to see… the drive, and the passion, and the love, and the fearlessness, and like, to be able to dive back into and do it again.”
“I feel like that’s a really cool thing.”
Sharpe’s run on Thursday was undoubtedly medal-worthy, as she finished the qualification run in third place behind China’s Li Fanghui and Great Britain’s Zoe Atkin.