Mark McMorris Recovers From Concussion for Olympics Return

Mark McMorris lost consciousness when he hit the ground during big air training eight days before the Milan Cortina Olympics began. But the 32-year-old snowboarding star is already cleared to return to competition.

The Canadian rider suffered a concussion, pelvic bruising, and an abdominal strain from what he calls a "snow snake." That's a chunk of snow or debris that catches under the board and can send even the best riders tumbling.

McMorris missed the big air competition at Livigno Snow Park last week while recovering. But he checked out the slopestyle course Thursday and plans to compete when qualifying begins Monday.

"I'm coming around and starting to feel like myself again," McMorris told the Associated Press. The three-time Olympic bronze medalist in slopestyle won his 12th X Games title just last month and remains a top medal contender.

Why This Inspires

McMorris knows danger better than most. He survived a near-fatal crash into a tree during a backcountry run in 2017 that broke 17 bones, ruptured his spleen, and collapsed his lung. Doctors induced a coma to save his life.

This time, he's grateful for a much better outcome. No fractures, just bruising and a concussion that he's cleared after passing multiple medical tests.

"I'm happy to not have had a worse hit than I did have," he said. "It's unfortunate it came when it did, but fortunately it's going to be OK for slopestyle."

His approach shows the careful balance elite snowboarders walk between pushing boundaries and staying safe. McMorris says he tries to be calculated with risk and mitigate danger as much as possible.

The quick recovery means fans will still get to watch one of snowboarding's biggest names chase Olympic glory. McMorris heads into slopestyle qualifying feeling confident and ready to compete at his fourth Olympic Games.