Team USA BMX rider Arielle Martin was injured Tuesday at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif., and is currently in San Diego's Mercy Hospital being treated for a possible lacerated spleen and collapsed lung. According to witnesses, Martin's chain broke during a morning training session and she suffered a serious crash.
"Arielle has worked extremely hard and was on top form heading into the Olympic Games," explained USA Cycling vice president of athletics Jim Miller. "Unfortunately, she suffered an injury during her final training session before leaving for the Games. She certainly would have contributed to our efforts in London and will be missed by the entire squad."
Haro BMX rider Brooke Crain, the designated replacement rider for Team USA's female BMX racers, will take Martin's spot in the Olympics in London next week. Although USA Cycling did not announce Crain as the designated replacement rider for Team USA, she has been quietly training with the team and would have been traveling to London regardless.
An additional replacement rider for Team USA's women has not yet been announced.
Crain, 19, a professional BMX rider currently living and training at the OTC in Chula Vista, is sponsored by Haro Bicycles, Kenda Tires, Troy Lee Designs and Oakley. Crain finished second overall in the American Bicycle Association (ABA) standings in 2011, and third overall in World standings for Junior Elite Women. Crain is considered by many to be one of the most experienced and stylish female BMX riders of her time. Crain joins Alise Post in representing the U.S. women in BMX at the Olympics.
"Brooke has posted consistent international results, has been training hard and is fully prepared to step in and make an impact in London," said USA Cycling BMX program director Mike King.
Four years ago, in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Martin crashed at the World Championships. The crash resulted in Martin missing the Team USA Olympic nomination by one point. After clinching the first Team USA spot for London in early June, Martin said that she "had freed the monkey that had been on my back for four years."
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