Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall has revealed she was involved in a serious car crash that left her with a severe concussion as she prepares for the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest.
The 27-year-old American said the head-on collision occurred while she was travelling to training last week. Although both vehicles involved were written off, she escaped without major physical injuries.
Davis-Woodhall described the incident as a frightening experience and said she was grateful to be alive.
“Luckily I walked away without any major injuries,” she said in a social media post.
The reigning world champion is now working with her medical and support team to determine whether she will be fit to compete at the Ultimate Championships, which begin on September 11.
The timing of the accident has been particularly frustrating for the athlete, who said she had reached the peak of her preparations.
“It’s really unfortunate timing; I am at the peak of my training right now. I’m as fast as I’ve ever been. I’m as strong as I’ve ever been,” Davis-Woodhall said.
The inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships will bring together Olympic, world and Diamond League champions, with the winner of each event set to receive £111,000.
Davis-Woodhall won Olympic gold in the women’s long jump at the Paris 2024 Games before becoming world champion in Tokyo the following year.
She has not ruled herself out of the Budapest competition, but said her immediate priority is recovering from the accident and determining whether her body is ready to compete.
The athlete added that the crash had also reminded her of the importance of life beyond sport, despite how difficult the timing has been.
