Anxious moments at the 2026 Winter Olympics, where the spectacular Big Air competition was interrupted for several minutes after a serious accident involving Finnish talent Elias Lajunen.
During the men's qualifiers, the 18-year-old attempted a multi-rotation jump in the air, but lost his balance on landing and crashed hard into the landing zone.
The athlete remained lying motionless for several seconds, freezing the atmosphere in the facility and disturbing his rivals and the public.
Medical staff intervened immediately and he was taken away on a stretcher, reports "Gazeta Express".
According to the Finnish Olympic Committee, Lajunen regained consciousness quickly and was alert — even giving fans a thumbs-up while receiving medical treatment.
This is Elias Lajunen, an 18-year-old Finnish athlete.
— My moms caregiver (@mymomcare) February 16, 2026
A truly frightening video to watch.
Medical reports say he is conscious and able to move his limbs.
Praying for a full recovery 🙏 pic.twitter.com/ATSGKmmmIP
He was able to move his limbs, but was taken to hospital for further examinations, while his continued participation in the race remains unclear.
The "Big Air" discipline is considered one of the most extreme in winter sports: the athlete accelerates, jumps off a giant ramp, and performs spin combinations before landing on a hard snow runway.
A small miscalculation is enough to turn the spectacle into an accident — and that's exactly what happened to the young Finnish man.
The qualifiers were characterized by tricks of very high difficulty, in a competition where athletes constantly push the limits for maximum points.
Lajunen's fall has reignited the debate over the dangers of extreme disciplines in the Olympics, where the line between glory and danger is extremely thin. /Express newspaper
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