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3 months ago
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Aussie cyclist Luke Plapp has revealed the Games' most gruesome injury after he was involved in a horror incident during the Paris time trials that left him requiring abdominal surgery.
Plapp - who was competing in his first Olympics - came off his bike after the 13.1km checkpoint on Sunday and was rushed to hospital.
The 23-year-old showed his Instagram followers the damage before the wound was treated - and it isn't for the faint hearted.
'Paris 2024.....I had dreamt of this day for the last 3 years - not how I had imagined it, but I will definitely remember you,' he posted.
'Still in hospital for the time being, but lucky to have my best mates by my side and support from everyone....See you in 1,445 days LA [ the next Olympic Games in 2028].
Among the images Plapp shared on social media included him sucking back on a green whistle - which is offered to patients in a bid to reduce significant pain - and a doner kebab.
Aussie swimming legend Libby Trickett was among his well wishes on social media, and teammate Grace Brown - who won gold in the Women's time trial - later visited Plapp in person and lifted his spirits.
Before his crash, Plapp was only two seconds behind then leader Wout van Aert, and the Aussie had previously set the fourth fastest time of the event.
Aussie Olympic cyclist Luke Plapp has revealed the Games' most gruesome injury (pictured) after he was involved a horror incident during the time trials in Paris that left him needing abdominal surgery
Plapp - who was competing in his first Olympics - came off his bike after the 13.1km checkpoint on Sunday and was rushed to hospital (pictured, with girlfriend Georgia Baker)
The 23-year-old was racing in testing conditions in driving Paris rain before his fall (pictured, after his fall)
Plapp also posted an image of himself enjoying a kebab after his medal dreams in the time trial were crushed
The testing conditions made the race dangerous for all athletes, especially in the highly technical middle section where Plapp dismounted at speed.
Footage of the incident online showed the cyclist struggling to stand up, before an Australian team support member rushed to help him off the road.
The Olympics chose to not publish the confronting vision on their official website - and other cycling fans online agreed it was inappropriate to share.
'Not nice to see,' one user on X wrote.
Plapp is a three-time national road race champion and two-time national time trial winner.
He was scheduled to compete in the road race alongside fellow Aussie riders Michael Matthews and Simon Clarke on August 3 - but has since been replaced by Ben O'Connor.
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