Three days after the opening of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Japanese figure skating medal contenders endure devastating leg injuries from brutal practice falls, casting doubt on their competition prospects.
Details of the Harrowing Falls
During a January 9 practice session (local time), Yuma Kagiyama, 23, and teammate Sato, 22, crashed heavily on the ice. Sharp skate blades sliced deeply into their legs, inflicting serious but non-life-threatening wounds. The Olympic organizing committee swiftly acknowledged the reports.
These skaters previously secured silver in the team event, marking Japan as a dominant force. The Japan Skating Federation confirmed the injuries directly, noting the absence of specialized blade covers typically used to prevent such deep cuts—unlike in prior Games.
Safety Concerns Across Nations
Skaters from gold-medal-winning United States teams and Italy’s bronze medalists reported similar risks during practice. The lack of protective materials heightened vulnerabilities, prompting widespread alarm among competitors.
Wave of Disruptions Engulfs Olympics
Norovirus outbreaks delay events, while cafeteria shortages frustrate athletes. Even podium honors falter, as medals chip and ribbons detach shortly after award ceremonies.
U.S. women’s downhill gold medalist Bridget Johnson and figure skating team event gold medalist Alysa Liu stated, “Days after receiving our medals, ribbons fell off or the medals chipped.”
These setbacks erode expectations for a seamless Games, fueling criticism over preparation and operations.
