Pat Burgener, a 31-year-old Brazilian snowboarder, faced an unexpected situation when he woke up in a hospital confused and disoriented after suffering a concussion during training. He had been preparing for the halfpipe event at the Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, where he represents Brazil for the first time, following competitions for Switzerland in previous editions. Burgener's goal is to achieve a historic first-ever Olympic podium for Brazil in snowboarding.

The incident occurred when Burgener attempted a highly difficult trick known as a switch backside triple cork, which has never been performed in snowboarding history. This move, according to Burgener, could be crucial in securing a gold medal if successfully executed. However, the trick led to a brutal fall during practice, landing him in a hospital bed with no recollection of how he got there or the events leading up to the accident.

As he recuperates from the concussion, Burgener expresses confidence in his trick and aims to showcase it at the Olympics despite the setback. His aspirations highlight not only his personal journey as an athlete but also the growing prominence of snowboarding in Brazil, where the sport is still developing but gaining attention on an international scale. Burgener's pursuit of excellence embodies the spirit of Olympic competition, as he strives to make a mark for his country at the Winter Games.