Reports: Russian skier breaks back during Sochi training accident

SOCHI, Russia, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- Russian media is reporting a training accident involving Russian freestyle skier Maria Komissarova, who injured her back while preparing for her event next week.

Russian News Agency R-sport reported that Komissarova was admitted to hospital conscious with a broken back. According to the Russian Freestyle Federation, doctors wanted to transport the skier to Moscow, but the severity of the injury required immediate surgery. The surgery was compacted considering Komissarova has dislocated her spine.

While not a medal contender, Komissarova's best performance came in the 2012 World Cup event, where she placed second.

The Sochi Games have so far been largely injury-free. A track worker broke both legs after being hit by a non-competition sled and a Russian ski jumper broke two ribs while training on Wednesday. Norwegian slopestyle snowboarder Torstein Horgmo suffered a broken collarbone while training in Sochi before the Games.

[R-Sport]