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Canadian Olympic big air snowboarder Mark McMorris was forced to drop out of the event after suffering a hard crash during training at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games on Wednesday.
McMorris had won a gold medal in the big air competition at the 2021 world championships and was expected to challenge for a podium spot at this year’s Winter Olympics. But the hard spill meant he was taken off the slopes on a stretcher and briefly landed him in hospital.
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Medical personnel carry off Canada’s Mark McMorris after crashing during a snowboard big air training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
“I hit my head and unfortunately will not be able to compete in the big air tonight,” he wrote in a post on Instagram.
McMorris added that he will be ready to go for the slopestyle event, which begins on February 16. He has three Olympic bronze medals in the event.
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Canada’s Mark McMorris practices during a snowboard big air training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
“I’m just trying to stay positive and focus on that event. Huge thanks to the incredible medical staff who took care of me and to everyone who reached out with so much love and support.”
Canadian Snowboard official Brendan Matthews said McMorris was released from hospital quickly. He said it was standard protocol to be taken off on a stretcher.
“It always looks scary when someone takes a hard fall like that, but all things considered, it’s good news,” Matthews said.
Australia’s Val Guseli is set to replace McMorris in the big air. He usually competes in the halfpipe competition.
Canada’s Mark McMorris reacts after crashing during a snowboard big air training session at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Livigno, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
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He won a silver medal in halfpipe at the 2023 World Championships and picked up a bronze medal at the 2023 Winter X Games at the SuperPipe competition.
