Injured Aussie aerials champion ruled out of Olympics

Australia’s two-time aerials world champion Laura Peel, who was unable to recover from a serious knee injury, has withdrawn from the Olympics.

Peel is the fourth Australian forced out of the Olympics through injury, joining snowboarders Cam Bolton and Misaki Vaughan, as well as teen freeskier Daisy Thomas.

Peel ruptured her ACL at a pre-Games training camp in Airolo, Switzerland, in early February but refused to give up hope of winning her first medal at her fourth Olympics.

Before the injury Peel had struck some impressive form, winning a recent World Cup event in Canada, and was considered a strong medal chance in Italy.

However, with official training on the competition jump site getting under way, she realised she wasn’t up to competing and made the decision to withdraw.

“I’m heart-broken my Olympic dream has come to an end in this way,” the 36-year-old said.

“I put everything into this campaign, and never imagined I wouldn’t make it to the start gate.

“I’m grateful for all the support I have received from the medical and support teams, we have worked so hard to try and change this outcome, but unfortunately it’s not meant to be.”

Her withdrawal is also a blow to Australia’s hopes in the mixed team event, the first time they were set to field a three-skier team, with Peel competing alongside Danielle Scott and Reilly Flanagan.

The Australian team is looking to bring in a replacement athlete for the aerials competition.

On Friday, snowboarder Cam Bolton had to be medically transported back to Australia from Italy after fracturing his neck and back in a scary training accident before his race.

Young freeskier Daisy Thomas also suffered a knee injury in a fall while Misaki Vaughan was ruled out of making her debut, failing a head injury assessment (HIA) after hitting her head while training on Monday.

For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.