Olympic snowboarder Cam Bolton breaks neck in training accident

David Matthews, New York Daily News on Feb 11, 2026

Published in Olympics

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Australian snowboarder Cam Bolton suffered a broken neck in an accident while training at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

The 35-year-old snowboard cross specialist crashed on Monday and reported worsening neck pain after waking up on Tuesday, the Australian Olympic Committee said.

A CT scan at an Olympic clinic identified two stable neck fractures. Bolton was then airlifted to a hospital in Milan for further assessment and treatment.

“Cam is in a stable condition and remains in good spirits,” the AOC said in a statement on Wednesday. “The Australian Olympic medical team is working with local doctors and neuro specialists in Australia to determine next steps.”

The Australian team ruled Bolton out for the remainder of the Games on Wednesday and named replacements ahead of Thursday’s men’s snowboard cross qualifying event.

Bolton won silver in the mixed team snowboard cross with Mia Clift at the world championships in Switzerland last year. On the Olympic stage, Bolton finished 11th at Sochi 2014, 10th at Pyeongchang 2018 and 13th in Beijing four years ago.

“He’s been getting better these last couple of years, performing really well. It could have been his best Olympic result at these Games,” four-time Australian Olympic skier Britt Cox told Nine’s Wide World of Sports.

The Australian contingent has suffered multiple injuries at the Olympics, including snowboard halfpipe hopeful Misaki Vaughan, who was ruled out after hitting her head in a fall.

“Unfortunately with winter sport, injuries happen along the way. In 53 athletes doing relatively high risk sports, it’s not something that’s unusual I’m afraid,” said Australia’s Winter Olympic Team Chef de Mission Alisa Camplin.

“My heart breaks on their behalf — I know how much work goes into an Olympic dream,” added Camplin, who won a gold medal in aerials at the 2002 Winter Olympics while skiing on two broken ankles.

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