Laura Kenny reveals she almost pulled out of Commonwealth Games after Matt Walls’ horror crash left him hospitalised
LAURA KENNY has admitted that she considered whether to race at all yesterday after watching Matt Walls’ horror crash earlier in the day.
Walls, 24, had to be treated in the crowd for over 40 minutes after catapulting into the stands while attempting to avoid fallen riders ahead.
The Team England ace had to be taken to hospital with the rest of the morning session suspended – leaving Olympics legend Kenny considering whether she wanted to take part at the Commonwealth Games at all.
Legendary cyclist Kenny, 30, said: “It was horrendous and it was playing on my mind earlier.
“I messaged Jason (Kenny) and said, ‘Woah, I’m not even sure I want to do this’.
“Everything else is put into perspective when something like that happens and I’m just glad he was conscious straight away.
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“We all know it’s a dangerous sport — you need to be physically fit to put yourself at the front of it. But the crashes are getting worse because the speeds are getting faster.
“Maybe there should be screens because Matt should not have been able to go over the top and into a crowd. That’s pretty damned dangerous for him and the spectators.
“That’s the third time that I’ve seen someone go over the top. Is the top a bit too dangerous now?
“Matt was conscious straight away and joking with the paramedics, which is brilliant to hear.
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“But if he had come down the slope he would have done less damage — he would certainly have done less damage to the little girl.”
A fan was left bloodied by the incident and had to be taken away in a wheelchair – while a young girl was also treated by doctors.
I hope the people in power look at this and think something really has to be done
Sir Chris Hoy
Walls was thankfully discharged later in the day with only minor injuries, but Sir Chris Hoy joined Kenny in calling for major changes.
The Scot, 46, said: “I hope the people in power look at this and think something really has to be done before something genuinely serious happens in the future.
“I think it’s preventable if you put a plexiglass screen around like they do in ice hockey.”
Matt Bostock of the Isle of Man and Canada’s Derek Gee were also taken to hospital after finding themselves involved in the horrific accident.
Kenny would come 13th in her event – while Australia’s Corbin Strong won the scratch race final that Walls would have hoped to contest.
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England’s Joe Truman was also involved in a horror crash at the velodrome over the weekend – suffering a broken collarbone after being knocked unconscious.
Truman required an oxygen tank to aid his breathing and was taken to hospital in a wheelchair for further treatment.