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WATCH: 3 worst injuries of 2016 Olympics thus far

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Thomas COEX

There are many risks associated with competitive sport, and athletes at the Rio Olympics 2016 have proven how dangerous it can be. Even though the Games only started a few days ago, there have already been a number of serious injuries.

Broken leg

In probably the worst injury of the Rio Olympics, French gymnast Samir Ait Said broke his leg on a vault landing. The 26-year-old athlete was clearly in agony after the horrifying snap of the leg echoed throughout the arena. According to CNN he immediately covered his face, while the bottom of his left leg stuck out at an unnatural angle. The injury highlighted the dangers of gymnastics and the precision and effort required to execute complicated manoeuvres. Said was trying to fly over the vault and complete two back flips, but landed in an awkward position.

Read: Gymnast breaks leg after horror vault landing

High-speed crash

After leading the women’s cycling race yesterday, Annemiek van Vleuten from the Netherlands ended her race in a high-speed crash. Van Vleuten (33) made her way to the finish line when the accident happened. She was turning at the top of a mountain and made her way down the road when she crashed into a large gutter. The BBC reported the rider was admitted to intensive care after she was diagnosed with “small” fractures in her back and concussion. Rain made conditions worse and it looked like Van Vleuten wanted to push herself during the last stretch of the race.

Read: Dutch cyclist Van Vleuten fractures spine in crash

Dangerous judo

Judo is a confrontational sport and Brazilian judoka Sarah Menezes is proof of just how serious accidents in this martial art can be. Menezes, a London gold medallist, was visibly in pain after she injured her elbow. To make matters worse, the 26-year-old acquired this injury on the first day of the games and thus shattered her dreams of winning a gold medal. According to EuroSport, Menezes was tossed to the ground by her opponent Urantsetseg Munkhbat, who wrenched her into a deep armbar.

For more action on the Rio Olympics 2016, visit Sport24's special coverage.

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