Kye Whyte stretchered off after heavy crash in BMX racing semi-final

Whyte won silver in Tokyo three years ago but crashed out in Paris and left the track on a stretcher

Whyte is stretchered off (REUTERS)

Kye Whyte was stretchered off the track but sustained “no significant injuries” after crashing out of the BMX racing semi-finals at the Olympics.

Whyte, Great Britain’s Olympic silver medallist from Tokyo, was stretchered off the track after a heavy fall in the semi-finals.

It was initially suggested that he would be taken to hospital for assessment but British Cycling said his condition was positive.

The 24-year-old lost control of his bike after the first jump and veered off course heading into the second ramp before crashing into the dirt track.

He was seen to immediately by paramedics while lying on the ground before he was lifted onto a stretcher and carried from the course.

Whyte suffered a heavy fall at the BMX (REUTERS)

He did not take part in the third heat and did not advance to the final after the crash.

Whyte carried a back injury into the semi-finals and struggled through the quarter-finals on Thursday.

He said he would be “fighting on” but finished fifth in his first heat and made a slow start out of the gate in the second.

Drama in the BMX semi-finals as Kye White suffers a fall 😮#BBCOlympics #Olympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Ij5iWO774i

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 2, 2024

There did not appear to be contact with another rider before he lost control of his BMX.

British Cycling soon released a statement on Whyte’s condition.

“Following his crash in tonight’s BMX racing semi-final, Kye Whyte was assessed immediately by the on-site medical team.

This was followed up by further immediate review by Great Britain Cycling Team Dr Nigel Jones who delivered a positive report, with no significant injuries. “We wish Kye a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him on his bike very soon.”

Whyte won silver in Tokyo with Beth Shriever winning gold (PA Archive)

Great Britain’s Beth Shriever is meanwhile bidding to defend her gold medal in the women’s race.

Crashes are common in BMX racing and Shriver, the gold medallist from Tokyo, broke her collarbone in a fall four months ago.