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USA cyclist Connor Fields suffered brain bleed in crash, out of ICU

Posted at 10:29 PM, Jul 30, 2021
and last updated 2021-07-31 00:24:46-04

TOKYO - American BMX racer Connor Fields suffered a brain bleed during a horror crash in Friday's Olympic event but has been moved out of intensive care, his team confirmed on Saturday.

Fields went down hard in a first-corner crash during the semi-final runs and was treated by the side of the circuit before being rushed to Tokyo's St. Luke's International Hospital.

"The doctors reported that Fields sustained a brain hemorrhage at the venue," USA Cycling said on Saturday.

"After a night in the ICU, the doctors are pleased to report that there has been no additional bleeding, and no new injuries were found. Fields has been moved out of the critical care unit and will remain in the hospital until cleared."

Earlier, Connor's mother, Lisa Fields, thanked followers in a Facebook post for their "companionship and concern and prayers" for her son who won the Olympic title in Rio.

"Latest CT scan shows no additional brain injury and no additional bleeding so he has been transferred from ICU critical care to high level care and does not require surgery at this time," she wrote.

View social media post: https://twitter.com/usacycling/status/1421312173662420992

Talking to USA Today, his father Mike said: "Cognitively, he's doing well. He knows where he is. He knows his birthday. He recognizes people."

Fields was the reigning Olympic champion heading to Tokyo after his victory at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

He had already qualified for the final before suffering a horrible fall in the first corner of his third run.