Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten's smile was surrounded by bruises in an update sent via social media from her hospital room as she recovers from a horrific crash in a women’s cycling road race at the Rio Games on Sunday.
She led the race at the time of the accident near Copacabana beach and appeared headed to victory after leaving behind breakaway companion Mara Abbott while descending with about six miles left in the race.
Van Vleuten suffered a concussion and had three spinal fractures after she lost control of her bike as she maneuvered around a corner late in the race.