By Billie Eder
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Livigno: Australian gold medal chance Laura Peel has been forced to withdraw from the 2026 Winter Olympics after rupturing her ACL in a training camp.
Peel was due to compete on Tuesday, and was a serious podium contender, in the women’s aerials, but a knee injury suffered at a training camp on February 3 has been confirmed as an ACL rupture, and despite great efforts, Peel has had to withdraw.
Australian aeriel skier Laura Peel. has been forced to withdraw.Credit: Getty Images
“I’m heartbroken my Olympic dream has come to an end in this way. I put everything into this campaign, and never imagined I wouldn’t make it to the start gate,” Peel said.
“I’m grateful for all the support I have received from the medical and support teams, we have worked so hard to try and change this outcome, but unfortunately, it’s not meant to be.”
Australia now have the ability to slot someone else in Peel’s place thanks to the late athlete replacement policy.
The news of Peel’s withdrawal comes less than 24 hours after Daisy Thomas was added to Australia’s climbing list of injured athletes.
Thomas was stretchered from the slopestyle course during a practice session a week ago following a crash that re-injured the same knee that she had ruptured her ACL in three months ago.
Australian skier Daisy Thomas.Credit: Getty Images
The 18-year-old was forced to withdraw from the freeski slopestyle, but was determined to compete in the big air event on Saturday (local time).
However, the combination of the knee injury and a shoulder injury sustained from a crash in training on Wednesday has forced Thomas to withdraw and postpone her Olympic debut.
“After successful management of swelling and return to snow testing, I was confident in myself and my knee that I could still be a fighting contender for the podium in big air,” Thomas said.
“After the first night training, another instability episode ensued after several attempts on the big air jump. This is a high-risk sport and having to contend with knee instability adds another layer of difficulty.
Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton will be transferred to Melbourne for medical treatment.Credit: Australian Olympic Team
“It would be a disservice to myself, my sport and my country to try and drop in, which would likely result in further injury. I’m disappointed that I can’t compete at my very best at the Olympic Games.”
Thomas’ withdrawal comes three days after snowboarder Cam Bolton was helicoptered to a hospital in Milan after fracturing his neck at a practice session.
The 35-year-old has since had further scans, and after consultation between the Australian Olympic team’s medical staff, along with spine surgeons in Australia, a decision has been made for Bolton to return to Melbourne to receive treatment.
He is expected to arrive in Melbourne on Monday.
Gold medal winner Josie Baff said Bolton was one of the teammates who believed she could get the job done and wished him the best.
“To not have Cam here was pretty heartbreaking,” Baff said.
“He was texting me last night. He was like, you can win this race, Josie, and I was like, I know I can.
“To be able to do that is pretty cool and to have him, I know he’s watching and I’m wishing him all the best as well. But yeah, the team is definitely a family.”
The Winter Olympic Games is broadcast on the 9Network, 9Now and Stan Sport.
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Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
