A serious incident occurred during the Winter Olympics when Austrian bobsleigh pilot Jakob Mandlbauer was involved in a significant crash. The 27-year-old athlete was competing in the four-man final when his sled veered to the side and failed to come to a halt, forcing him to be extracted from the sled by medics and his teammates on a stretcher.
During the second heat of the event, Mandlbauer and his crew—Daniel Bertschler, Sebastian Mitterer, and Daiyehan Nichols-Bardi—attempted to protect themselves by ducking inside the sled as it rushed along the track. After the sled finally came to a stop near the finish line, officials quickly attended to the scene, raising concerns among spectators both at the Cortina venue and those watching from home.
Although Bertschler, Mitterer, and Nichols-Bardi were able to exit the sled safely, Mandlbauer required further assistance. He was treated by Dr. Bernhard Unterkofler, the chief medical officer of the Austrian Olympic Committee, before being transported to a hospital. Fortunately, the OOC later confirmed that Mandlbauer was stable and capable of moving all his limbs.
In light of the incident, Bertschler indicated that the team had experienced difficulties earlier during training at the same turn, hinting that the entry was less than optimal. He expressed gratitude for the immediate support from the medical team.
Commentators observing the crash noted the precarious situation, highlighting how the driver, being the most exposed during such high-speed runs, is in a vulnerable position. John Jackson, a two-time Olympic bobsledder, shared his sentiments on the matter, emphasizing the camaraderie in the sliding community and the collective wish for everyone’s safety.
Following the accident, volunteers were seen working diligently to repair the track, which showed noticeable damage from the incident. After Mandlbauer was safely removed and the crash site cleared, the bobsleigh competition resumed.
In a related event later that day, the French bobsleigh team was also involved in a crash; however, all four members emerged unharmed. This incident reiterates the inherent risks athletes face in high-speed sports, yet the swift action of medics and support staff underscores the commitment to athlete safety.