Former world and European champion BMX rider Niek Kimmann has vowed to continue at the Olympic Games after he hit an official who was on the track while he was training for his events.
The Dutch BMX star was one of two riders who hurtled towards the official at speed. Warning shouts could be heard coming from others who were present, but the official was still on the track when Kimmann approached and hit him.
Kimmann (25), who was familiarising himself with the track before racing starts on Thursday, had nowhere to go but hit the official, who was knocked to the ground.
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So this is what happened today. 💣 Hit an official that wanted to cross the 2nd straight. Hope the official is O.K. My knee is sore, but will do my best to be ready for Thursday! Thanks everyone for the messages, appreciate it! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QOdJ2r0usT
— Niek Kimmann (@niekkimmann) July 26, 2021
The Dutch rider then moved towards the man he had hit to check on him. Though it appears the official was not knocked out, he was left on the ground and did not get up immediately.
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Kimmann, who is
riding his second Olympics after placing 7th in Rio five years ago, reported
pain in his knee as a result of the incident but said he would continue on and
race as planned.
"So this is what
happened today," Kimmann stated on Twitter when sharing a video of the
incident.
"Hit an official that wanted to cross the second straight. Hope the official is OK. My knee is sore, but will do my best to be ready for Thursday. Thanks everyone for the messages, appreciate it."
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