Lecomte stumbles heavily and briefly loses consciousness
Mountainbiker Nina Benz Travels Without Medal Chances to Paris, but the Race is Still a Highlight for Her. After the Race, There is Mainly Concern for a Frenchwoman. Medal Candidate Loana Lecomte Crashes in the So-called Rock Garden.
The mountainbike race at the Olympic Games was overshadowed by a heavy crash of French medal candidate Loana Lecomte. The 24-year-old fell while lying in third place in the fourth round in the so-called Rock Garden and was initially motionless.
A video circulating on X shows how Lecomte is carried through the forest on a stretcher from the track. French RTL journalist Nicolas Georgereau reported that Lecomte had lost consciousness for a moment but was now receiving medical treatment and there was no cause for concern. According to RMC, she had only suffered a mild concussion.
Nina Benz missed her expected top placement as usual. The 25-year-old from Freiburg finished the 30.8 kilometer long race over the Elancourt Hill in front of 13,000 fans in 16th place. For the EM third place, the participation in the Summer Games was the peak of her career so far.
On the 231 meter high hill, which is the highest elevation in the Paris region, Benz had a 7:41 minute deficit to Olympic champion Pauline Ferrand-Prévot from France at the end. The big favorite had separated herself from the field in the second of seven laps and finished in tears and lifted her bike in triumph. At the Monday decision for the men, the German Cycling Federation (BDR) expects a small medal chance. The Nürtingen Luca Schwarzbauer starts from the first row, which is an advantage due to the initially narrow and fast course. Top favorites are Tokyo Olympic champion Thomas Pidcock from Great Britain and Rio champion Nino Schurter from Switzerland.
Despite missing her medal chances, the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris still holds significant appeal for mountainbiker Nina Benz. Cycling continues to be a prominent event in the upcoming Olympic Games, with numerous athletes vying for victory.
