Doctors feared paralysis after Victoria Williamson's Rotterdam crash
Victoria Williamson says doctors thought she would be left paralysed after her crash at the Rotterdam Six Day but now she is out of hospital and continuing her recovery
Track cyclist Victoria Williamson counts herself lucky not to be paralysed after doctors feared that could be the outcome of her crash at the Rotterdam Six Day.
The sprinter fractured her neck and back, suffered a dislocated pelvis and slipped a disc in her neck in the crash, which resulted in the racing being cancelled for the day at the event.
After four weeks in hospital, Williamson is now well on the way to recovery, revealing on Twitter that her spine and pelvis were aligned and that she could start baring weight on her legs.
"They were pretty sure paralysis was going to be the outcome while I was in Rotterdam, but luckily I pulled through," she told the BBC.
"Being an athlete, I think they said because my neck and back were so strong I was able to withstand the force.
"Although I did break a few bones, my spinal cord stayed intact and I'm here to live another day."
With the Olympics now out of the question, Williamson says she has no timeframes for getting back on her bike.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
At just 22 years old, she has at least one Olympic cycle left in her and is confident of returning the level she was at before the crash.
"I'm going to get back on a bike eventually," she added. "I've got no timescale yet, but I don't know what level I'll be able to get to. I'll give it a good go.
"I've got the full support team behind me, I've got physios, doctors. We've got the world's best. At the end of the day, we're a great programme, so I've got every chance of getting back to where I was."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
USA Cycling unveils 2025 National Championship schedule with 17 chances to claim the Stars and Stripes jersey
From cycling eSports in February to cyclocross in December, here are the dates and locations for the 2025 season
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Tech of the week: A shockingly expensive steel bike from Colnago, a surprisingly affordable carbon bike from Pinarello, DT Swiss energises our cycling lives and Pog's bars are now yours to buy
Colnago's Steelnova is a thing of beauty but you'll pay for the pleasure, while Pinarello's F1 is an inexpensive gateway to the brand. DT Swiss enters the dynamo hub market and Enve brings Pog's cockpit to market
By Luke Friend Published
-
Six-day events no longer have to last six days, UCI rules
Regulation update gives track racing organisers more freedom over duration
By Tom Davidson Published
-
90-year-old cyclist sets sights on four world records
Three-time Masters world champion Walter Fowler is far from ready to slow down yet
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I will hopefully not be forgotten': How Jeffrey Hoogland broke track sprinting's oldest record
Last October, Jeffrey Hoogland roared to a new kilometre time trial world record. Tom Davidson spoke to the Dutchman and his team to find out what it took
By Tom Davidson Published
-
London 3 Day live stream: Watch Sunday's action on Cycling Weekly's YouTube channel
Watch live as track cycling stars go head-to-head at the Lee Valley Velodrome
By Tom Davidson Published
-
London 3 Day live stream: Watch Saturday's action on Cycling Weekly's YouTube channel
Watch live as track cycling stars go head-to-head at the Lee Valley Velodrome
By Tom Davidson Published
-
London 3 Day live stream: Watch Friday's action on Cycling Weekly's YouTube channel
Watch live as track cycling stars go head-to-head at the Lee Valley Velodrome
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I was in hospital six weeks ago': 80-year-old Brit wins three world titles
Former Olympian track cyclist Geoff Cooke trains up to 300 miles a week
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Britain's lost track sprinter returns as Olympic medallist Matthew Richardson switches nationality
'This decision is about following my passion and pushing myself to new heights,' says 25-year-old, who until now has represented Australia
By Tom Davidson Published