Connor Fields Stretchered Off Into Ambulance After Wreck in BMX Qualifying Heat

The defending champion was part of a horrifying crash in the third run of his semifinal in the Olympic men's BMX race.

Connor Fields, a medal favorite in the men's BMX racing, was stretchered off the course after being part of a horrifying three-person wreck in the semifinal heat. 

The defending BMX champion was then loaded onto an ambulance and taken to a hospital for treatment. 

"We can confirm that Connor Fields is awake, stable, and awaiting further medical evaluation," USA BMX said in a statement to The Washington Post. "He will remain in the hospital under observation. Additional updates about his condition will be shared as they become available.”

Fields was in second place as he took on the first turn of the race. His wheel appeared to catch the back of leader France's, Romain Mahieu, and the American crashed to the ground. Two other riders fell over Fields, who laid on the track as medical personnel rushed to him. 

The 28-year-old brought home gold in 2016 Rio, and had already done enough to qualify for the final in Tokyo. 

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