A San Diego BMX rider was hurt this week at the Chula Vista Olympic Training Center and will not be going to the XXX Olympic Summer Games, according to officials.
Arielle Martin, who lives in San Diego, suffered an injury during her final training session on Tuesday, announced USA Cycling.
She sustained life-threatening injuries caused by a mechanical malfunction when her bike crashed, according to a Scripps Mercy spokesperson. Martin suffered a severe liver laceration and pneumothoroax of the right lung, which could include lung collapse. The U.S. BMX rider is currently in the intensive care unit.
Martin is no stranger to injury. She crashed her bike before the 2008 Beijing Games and was forced to step out of competition.
This time around, Martin was set to begin competing in her first Olympic Games on Wednesday, August 8.
Martin was transported to San Diego's Mercy Hospital Tuesday afternoon, where she is receiving treatment for her injuries. The 27-year-old is expected to make a full recovery, according to USA Cycling.
"We are deeply saddened to learn of Arielle's injury while training this week in preparation for the 2012 Games," said USA Cycling President & CEO Steve Johnson. "She is a true competitor and will be sorely missed in London. We wish her a complete and speedy recovery."
Martin's replacement for the London 2012 Olympic Games is 19-year-old Brooke Crain, from Visalia, Calif. On Wednesday, Crain posted the following message on her Twitter page about Martin's injuries:
“I'm devastated for my teammate @AMV15. She deserves to be here more than anyone. I will represent her, my country & live my olympic dream.”
Meanwhile, the following status update was posted Wednesday evening to Martin's Facebook fan page:
“Arielle was injured during a final practice when a mechanical malfunction caused a crash. She has a severe laceration to her liver and pneumothorax of the right lung. While her injuries were initially life-threatening, she has been upgraded from intensive care, to a trauma unit. She is expected to have a full recovery and is wishing her teammates all the best in London.”
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