Brazilian Olympic gymnast, 25, who hoped to compete in freestyle skiing despite only seeing snow ONCE before is critically injured after slamming into a tree while training in Utah

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: | Updated:


Dashed: Lais Souza, who'd missed out on competing at the 2012 summer Olympics as a gymnast because of a hand injury, was trying to become the first Brazilian to compete in freestyle skiing at a winter games before her injury set back those hopes

Dashed: Lais Souza, who'd missed out on competing at the 2012 summer Olympics as a gymnast because of a hand injury, was trying to become the first Brazilian to compete in freestyle skiing at a winter games before her injury set back those hopes

A Brazilian gymnast who decided to try and ski in next month's winter Olympics has had her dreams crushed after being involved in a tragic accident.

25-year-old Lais Souza, who had never even seen snow before let alone skied until very recently, crashed into a tree whilst on the slopes in Park City, Utah.

She was hoping to become her country's first acrobatic skier, but things went horribly wrong on Monday afternoon as she lost control and smashed into a tree.

The gymnast, who was expected to compete in freestyle skiing at the Sochi Games, is now unable to move her arms and legs following an accident while training in the United States.

The committee said in a statement that Lais Souza, who participated in the 2004 and 2008 Summer Olympics, is being treated at an intensive care unit at University of Utah hospital.

Doctors said she is 'awake and can follow commands' but is breathing with the help of ventilators.

The BOC said Souza needed surgery to have her spine realigned after sustaining "severe trauma" in Monday's accident in Salt Lake City.

'Lais has a long recovery process in front of her,' Team Brasil doctor Antonio Marttos said in the statement. 'A long-term prognostic cannot be predicted at this time.

Her medical team is doing everything possible to allow her to have the best recovery possible.'

The BOC said the 25-year-old Souza was wearing a helmet when the accident happened as she skied "freely" alongside Canadian coach Ryan Snow at Park City.

Lais Souza: The Brazilian gymnast who was expected to compete as a skier at the Winter Olympics is in intensive care and unable to move after a training accident

Lais Souza: The Brazilian gymnast who was expected to compete as a skier at the Winter Olympics is in intensive care and unable to move after a training accident

Critical: The 25-year-old was injured Monday while skiing with her coach at Park City, Utah, and is being treated at an intensive care unit. She is unable to move her arms and legs and is breathing with the help of ventilators

Critical: The 25-year-old was injured Monday while skiing with her coach at Park City, Utah, and is being treated at an intensive care unit. She is unable to move her arms and legs and is breathing with the help of ventilators

Injuries: The Brazilian Olympic Committee said in a statement that Souza had surgery to realign her spine after sustaining severe trauma in the accident

Injuries: The Brazilian Olympic Committee said in a statement that Souza had surgery to realign her spine after sustaining severe trauma in the accident

Poor prognosis: Souza had minimal sensation from her neck down, and was only able to communicate using her eyes and by moving her head because of tubes inserted into her mouth by doctors at the University of Utah Hospital

Poor prognosis: Souza had minimal sensation from her neck down, and was only able to communicate using her eyes and by moving her head because of tubes inserted into her mouth by doctors at the University of Utah Hospital

The committee said she was not injured while practicing her freestyle maneuvers, but no other details on the accident were provided.

Souza was trying to become the first Brazilian to compete in freestyle skiing at a Winter Games. She didn't automatically qualify for Sochi, but was still expected to earn a spot for the event.

She missed the 2012 Olympics as a gymnast because of a hand injury.

Souza had no experience of skiing before being picked, and had only seen snow once before while traveling to Ukraine for a gymnastic competition.

Inexperienced: Souza had no experience of skiing before being picked, and Souza had only seen snow once before while traveling to Ukraine for a gymnastic competition

Inexperienced: Souza had no experience of skiing before being picked, and Souza had only seen snow once before while traveling to Ukraine for a gymnastic competition

What she is known for: Brazil's Lais Souza competes on the balance beam during the women's qualification of the artistic gymnastics event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

What she is known for: Brazil's Lais Souza competes on the balance beam during the women's qualification of the artistic gymnastics event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Dreams crushed: Former Brazilian gymnast turned freestyle skier Lais de Souza will no longer compete in Sochi Winter Games after suffering an accident on Monday in Salt Lake City during training which left her immobile

Dreams crushed: Former Brazilian gymnast turned freestyle skier Lais de Souza will no longer compete in Sochi Winter Games after suffering an accident on Monday in Salt Lake City during training which left her immobile

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