Winter Olympian suffers horror injury as emergency doctor called – ‘I saw his bone’

WARNING, GRAPHIC CONTENT A Winter Olympic hopeful suffered a horror injury on the eve of the games when he suffered a cut so deep, his coach could see his bone

A Winter Olympic hopeful suffered a horror injury on the eve of the showcase, with one doctor painting a painful image.

Lorenzo Previtali had been looking forward to competing on home ice when the games arrive at Milano-Cortina next month. However, his participation has been thrown into doubt after a horror injury during the European Short Track Championships in Tilburg, Netherlands.

The Italian lost his balance during the 1500m semi-final, sliding towards the barrier when his leg was struck by the sharp blade of a rival – suffering a serious injury with one coach admitting he could see the bone.

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Kenan Gouadec, told the Dutch newspaper: “We knew immediately that it was something serious. I saw his bone.”

Images from the event show blood coming from the wound on his shin as the Italian was carried out off the ice on a stretcher with doctors quick to attend the fall.

Gouadec continued: “I looked at least a centimeter deep into his leg and saw the bone. I immediately called an emergency doctor, and he was stitched up right away.

“The flesh wound was at least ten centimeters long. It could have been much worse. It’s a good thing he was wearing high-quality shin guards, because the skate even pierced them.”

Nine short track medals will be awarded between February 10th and 20th in the short track, and the Italian will face a race against time to be in contention for one.

“He’s quite nervous so close to the Winter Games, but the worst is over. He needs to rest for the next few days and then carefully ease back into training.

“As things stand, this won’t cost him his participation in the Games.”

Dutchman Jens Van ‘t Wout took the European title in his nation during the build up to the games, while Latvian Roberts Kreuzbergs took the silver.

Previtalis’ Italian compatriot Thomas Nadalini was awarded bronze.