Uzbek trampolinist suffers neck injury at Youth Olympics

Nanjing (China), Aug 23 (IANS) Uzbek trampolinist Amiran Babayan, who injured his neck at the Nanjing Youth Olympics Friday, was diagnosed with neck spinal cord impairment and soft tissue in right pinbone and chest, the local hospital said Saturday.

Babayan injured his neck when he lost his balance and landed outside the trampoline during his second round routine Friday at the Youth Olympics. He had to be carried away on a stretcher and was immediately sent to the Nanjing No.1 Hospital, reports Xinhua.

Babayan underwent a neck vertebration check at the hospital and a fixation device has been installed on his neck in order to prevent further problems to the spinal cord.

Xie Hong, the doctor in charge of Babayan’s treatment, confirmed that the Uzbek is in stable situation, but further treatment is needed.

“Babayan can eat and drink just like you and me, but he refuses to follow the doctors’ instructions,” said Xie.

“Our medical staff told him to keep lying on the bed and not to move, especially his neck, but he just sits up on bed and moves his neck when we are out of his sight,” he added.

Xie said that they had consulted with Uzbekistan’s team doctor over Babayan’s treatment plans, which consists of dehydration and neural nutrition cure, but declined to say how long it would take for Babayan to fully recover.