A shocking incident overshadowed the halfpipe qualifiers at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy on Wednesday, as Chinese skater Liu Jiayou fell motionless onto the snow. Paramedics rushed to her aid and provided first aid for several minutes amid a silence that fell over the stands before the former world champion and 2018 Olympic silver medalist was carried off on a stretcher to the applause of the spectators. Liu's current condition remains unknown, and this is not the first serious accident in the ice skating events in Italy; veteran Australian skater Cameron Bolton had experienced a horrific fall during ice training two days prior.

Bolton had reportedly woken up the following day with neck pain, and tests revealed he had sustained two fractures in his neck, requiring airlifting from the mountainous area. Fortunately, officials from the Australian team have stated that Bolton's condition is stable. These incidents raise concerns about safety protocols in winter sports, especially in high-intensity disciplines like halfpipe skiing and figure skating, where the risks of serious injuries are significantly heightened.

As the world looks forward to the Winter Olympics, the focus may now turn not only to the athletes' performances but also to the measures being taken to ensure their safety on such a challenging and demanding stage. Athletes and their teams might be calling for more stringent safety regulations to prevent further tragic incidents as the competitions progress.