Mariana Pajón, the silver queen in BMX 0:44
(CNN) -
Former Olympic champion Connor Fields "is awake and awaiting a new medical evaluation" after crashing in the BMX Racing event in Tokyo 2020, the governing body for cycling in the United States (USA Cycling) reported, citing to the team doctor.
The American rider suffered a dramatic crash early in the third round of the men's semi-final after appearing to run into another competitor while cornering.
Connor Fields, 28, a gold medal winner at Rio 2016 and one of the big favorites to win in Tokyo, hit the ground hard and required medical attention before being transported by stretcher to an ambulance.
"We will share additional updates as they become available," added USA Cycling BMX.
Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: live results and the new Olympic medals
Gold for Netherlands
Meanwhile, Dutchman Niek Kimmann won his country's first Olympic gold medal in BMX Racing after an exciting race.
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"Since the pandemic hit I have had a goal, a goal, and that goal was today," Kimmann said after the victory.
"I still do not believe that I have taken it. I am from the Netherlands. It is a small country. But I know other friends who have won gold medals, so I always felt that I was the one who was missing," he said.
Kye Whyte of Team Great Britain, Niek Kimmann of Team Netherlands, Corben Sharrah of Team USA, and Tore Navrestad of Team Norway compete during the men's BMX semi-final, series 2, race 3, on the seventh day of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Ariake Urban Sports Park.
Earlier in the week, Kimmann's dream was about to be cut short after a freak collision with an official during training.
He suffered a knee fracture, but was able to recover in time after resting for much of the week.
"The last few weeks I've been feeling in the best shape possible. Of course, there was a lot of pressure, but I was feeling confident," said Kimman, 25.
"And then I ran into that officer and I felt like my dream was over. But luckily, with the painkillers, that dream was still alive. I kept believing," he added.
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Following his victory, Kimmann sent his best wishes to Fields.
"I think we all know that our sport has its risks, but at the end of the day we love our sport very much," he added.
"Connor is the defender of the gold medal. I did not see the accident or the video, but I hope he is okay," Kimmann said.
"I think he has been a great ambassador for the sport, as I hope I am too. It is sad that he was not able to defend his gold medal," he added.
Kye Whyte, from Great Britain, took silver, while Carlos Alberto Ramírez, from Colombia, took bronze.
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