Paris Olympics: Aussie cyclist Luke Plapp rushed to hospital for surgery after crash during event
A young athlete making his Olympic debut suffered a terrible crash during the time trial, requiring surgery.
23-year-old Australian cyclist Luke Plapp from Victoria crashed during the time trials at the men’s Olympic Games in Paris on Sunday morning.
Plapp fell off his bike after the 13.1 km checkpoint and had to undergo abdominal surgery during the night.
He is now recovering in hospital with his family and the Australian team doctor. According to the Australian Olympic Committee, his condition is ‘stable’.
Plapp was two seconds behind the then leader, the Belgian Wout van Aert, and had previously set the fourth fastest time in the trials.
The wet conditions made the race dangerous for the athletes, especially in the technical middle section where Plapp dropped out.
Footage of the crash emerged online showing the cyclist struggling to get up until a support member of the Australian team helped him off the road.
The Olympics did not release the video and others on the Internet agreed that it was inappropriate to share it: “Not nice to watch,” wrote one user on X.
23-year-old Australian cyclist Luke Plapp from Victoria crashed during the men’s Olympic time trial in Paris on Sunday morning.
Plapp fell from his bike after the 13.1km checkpoint and had to undergo abdominal surgery overnight but is now in a “stable” condition, the Australian Olympic Committee said.
Plapp’s supporters praised his efforts and wished him well in his recovery via social media.
‘I was bummed to see Luke Plapp drop out. He was one of my favourites for a medal,’ wrote one.
‘Very sad to hear that Luke Plapp has crashed out of the men’s time trial. Those roads were treacherous in the wet conditions. I hope he is ok,’ added a second.
Plapp is a three-time national road champion and two-time national time trial champion.
It is still scheduled Saturday the road race together with Australian athletes Michael Matthews and Simon Clarke.
The AOC said more information would be shared as it became available.
Plapp is a three-time national road champion and two-time national time trial champion and he will still compete in Saturday’s road race alongside other Australian athletes.