Olympic champion Davis-Woodhall survives car crash, says I’m lucky to be alive

Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall, the 27-year-old American, has expressed her gratitude for surviving a serious car crash. The incident occurred while she was en route to her training, leading her to describe the experience as "very scary." In the aftermath, Davis-Woodhall shared on social media that she walked away from the accident without any major injuries, though both vehicles were destroyed.

She is currently working with her team and doctors to regain her health, though she remains uncertain about her ability to compete at the upcoming Ultimate Championships in Budapest next week. The champion emphasized that the timing of the accident was unfortunate, as she was nearing the culmination of her rigorous training. Davis-Woodhall, who previously won gold in the women’s long jump at the Paris 2024 Olympics and the world title in Tokyo, has not ruled out participating in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships, which commence on September 11.

The competition will feature Olympic, world, and Diamond League champions, along with top performers of the year, with the winners of each event receiving a prize of £111,000. The accident has reminded Davis-Woodhall of the significance of life beyond sport, despite the challenging circumstances surrounding the incident.