Olympic start overshadowed by terrible scene: "It was terrible"

Created: 2022-02-04 13:24

By: Alexander Kaindl

Brianna Decker was injured so badly that she had to be stretchered off the ice.

© ZUMA Wire / Imago

For them, the Olympic Games ended before they even really started: ice hockey player Brianna Decker was seriously injured.

Beijing - It's finally starting!

The Winter Olympics start on Friday, February 4th.

A lot had been said, discussed and criticized in advance.

Now the focus should finally be on sport.

The opening ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Central European Time in Beijing, and athletes from all over the world can then compete for the historic chance of a medal until February 20.

Things had been going on for several days before the official starting signal: various competitions have been running since February 2nd, and the foundation stone for subsequent success is to be laid in the preliminary rounds.

In addition to curling and figure skating, ice hockey has been on the program so far.

And that's where a real shock scene happened in one game - not for the faint of heart!

Olympia: Ice hockey star seriously injured

What happened?

The first third ran between defending champions USA and Finland.

After just eleven minutes of play, a duel broke out between top performer Brianna Decker from the US and Ronja Savolainen from Finland.

Both players fell, Savolainen landing on Decker so unluckily that she twisted her left foot 90 degrees.

Bloodcurdling screams of pain then filled the hall.

"It was horrible," said Coyne Schofield, captain of the US team, after the game.

"There's no other way to put it.

It was really hard to watch.

She's one of the toughest, strongest players in the world.

It was of course devastating and nerve wracking for us to hear her reaction.”

Brianna Decker brought on stretcher by ice: Olympia finished before the opening ceremony

The medical staff rushed onto the ice immediately after the horror injury, Decker lay on the ground for minutes, everyone involved was visibly in shock.

The American was finally taken to the catacombs on a stretcher, where she was treated immediately.

The sad certainty came quickly: Decker's games are over before they really begin.

One can only imagine the pain Brianna Decker (r.) had to go through after this duel.

© Xinhua / Imago

After all, Decker stayed in the hall and was seen after the game in support shoes and on crutches, high fives with her teammates.

Her team won the game 5-2 - a victory that they also wanted to bring in for the seriously injured ice hockey colleague, as Schofield said.

An exact diagnosis of the injury was not initially available.

However, given the pictures, a broken ankle seems likely.