Lifestyle

Dutch Cyclist Suffers Horrific Crash While Leading Race At Rio Olympics

REUTERS

Annemiek van Vleuten was in the lead during her race at the Rio Olympics on Sunday, and then misfortune struck.

While rounding out for a turn on a decline, the Dutch cyclist suffered a scary and sudden crash, which saw her flip off of her bike and land awkwardly onto the ground.

A user on Twitter captured the graphic scene of the crash.

NBC's live coverage spoke volumes on just how worrying of a scene the crash was.

Commentators were audibly shaken, and as the camera shifted between other riders and back to van Vleuten, the injured cyclist was shown motionless as medical personnel ran toward her.

There was ample reason to fear the worst.

And, some viewers and media members posted messages of anxiety and frustration at they awaited news on the cyclist.

Since the crash, however, multiple journalists have reported that van Vleuten is conscious, talking and "OK."

But now the safety of the course has come under fire.

Just a day earlier, Italian cyclist Vincenzo Nibali broke his collarbone in two places while heading down a similar decline during an Olympic race in Rio.

Now many are hoping the course hasn't caused another horrific injury.