Skier O’Brien has surgery on broken leg after Beijing Winter Olympics crash

US SKIER Nina O’Brien underwent surgery in China after breaking her left leg in Monday’s Giant Slalom.

The Californian, 24, tumbled spectacularly over the finish line as she clipped a gate and was taken off the course on a stretcher.

She suffered a compound fracture of her left tibia and fibula and will now fly home for further treatment.

O’Brien, who was replaced by team-mate AJ Hurt for Wednesday’s slalom race, said: “Well, I gave everything I had and maybe too much.

“I keep replaying it in my head, wishing I’d skied those last few gates differently. But here we are.

“I had surgery last night to stabilise my tibia, which unfortunately was an open fracture through my leg.

“I’ll get the rest fixed at home, but for now I’m in great hands.

“I want to say thank you to everyone who’s taken care of me, especially those who rushed to me in the finish and my doctors and nurses in Yanqing.

“I’m a little heartbroken but also feeling so much love. My phone is flooded with messages. Waking up to those words means more than you can know.”

However, O’Brien’s not the only participant at the Winter Olympics to suffer a horrific injury.

An Ice Hockey referee was left with blood pouring from her mouth after being struck in the face by a wayward stick.

Official Cianna Lieffers was the accidental recipient of a blow to the mouth by the wavering stick during Canada’s 4-2 win over America.

But despite her grotesque injury, Lieffers incredibly managed to carry on with her duties after getting patched up by Canada’s medical team.