Olympic-Bound Snowboarder Suffers Brain Injury

American snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who was to compete for a spot in the Winter Olympics, was hospitalized in Utah following a training accident on December 31 in which he suffered severe personal injuries to his brain. He was listed in critical condition.

The accident occurred as Pearce was training in preparation for Olympic qualifying events the following week.

According to a spokeswoman for Pearce, there had been no change in his condition as of January 4.

The spokeswoman said the 22-year-old was attempting to land a twisting double back flip when he caught his toe-side edge and landed on his head. She said he was wearing his helmet at the time of the accident.

Pearce remains in University of Utah hospital’s intensive care unit.