Hong Kong cyclist knocks official unconscious in track world championships crash
Diao Xiaojun leaves velodrome in wheelchair while commissaire is stretchered away with blood pouring from head
Hong Kong cyclist Diao Xiaojuan was involved in a high-speed crash at the World Track Cycling Championships in the Netherlands on Friday, knocking an official unconscious.
The 33-year-old hit the International Cycling Union official after they had ran on to the track to pick up debris from an earlier crash.
Diao was taken away from the track in a wheelchair while the official was stretchered away bleeding from the head after being treated on the track for 15 minutes. She was replaced by teammate Yang Qianyu in the two remaining races, the individual pursuit and points race but according to local cycling association officials only suffered minor scratches.
The women’s omnium scratch race restarted after 45 minutes.
The official, however, was recuperating in hospital after the unfortunate accident.
“We feel sorry upon hearing this news,” said Hong Kong Cycling Association chairman Leung Hung-tak. “This is something rare (rider colliding with an official) in a track race, especially at a high level competition as both officials and riders are supposed to be experienced. But it happened and we wish the official a speedy recover.”
