TOKYO – Connor Fields, the American BMX racer who was hospitalized Friday after crashing at the Olympics, suffered a brain hemorrhage at the venue but doctors reported there has been no additional bleeding and no new head injuries were found, USA Cycling said in a news release issued Saturday.
Fields has been moved out of the critical care unit and will remain in the hospital until cleared, according to USA Cycling.
“There’s a bit of fluid on his brain, but it has not increased for the next 24 hours, so they’re feeling good about that,’’ Mike Fields, his father, told USA TODAY Sports on Saturday. “So far the results seem pretty positive.’’
According to his father, Connor Fields also suffered a broken rib and bruised lung in the crash.
Fields, a medal favorite who crashed in a semifinal heat at Ariake Urban Sports Park, underwent a CT scan on his brain Saturday morning, according to his father. He also had CT scans on his spine and abdomen.
“Cognitively, he’s doing well,’’ Mike Fields said. “He knows where he is. He knows his birthday. He recognizes people.’’
The hope is that Connor Fields will be released from the hospital in five days and then flown home, his father said.
The crash took place on the first turn of the semifinal run. Fields, the gold medal winner at the 2016 Olympics, was in second place when his front wheel appeared to catch the back wheel of the leader, France's Romain Mahieu.
Fields tumbled to the ground and two other riders fell over him. He was taken off the course on a stretcher before being loaded into an ambulance and transported to a hospital.
“The good news is he’s had extremely good care there in Tokyo,’’ Mike Fields said.
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