Olympic champion Davis-Woodhall 'lucky to be alive' after car crash
Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall says she is "lucky and blessed to be alive" after being involved in a car crash. The 27-year-old American was on her way to training last week when she was involved in a "very scary" head-on collision, leaving her with a "severe" concussion. While not ruling herself out of this month's inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest, the reigning world champion says she has been unable to train since the accident. "Luckily I walked away without any major injuries," Davis-Woodhall wrote on social media. "At this point I'm working with my team and doctors to get healthy, but I'm not sure if I will be ready to compete at Ultimate Championships next week.
More updates to come." Davis-Woodhall said her injuries were not life-threatening but that both cars, which were going at about 20mph, were written off. "It's really unfortunate timing; I am at the peak of my training right now," she said. "I'm as fast as I've ever been. I'm as strong as I've ever been. So this decision is very difficult for me.
I don't know where I am right now." The championships in Hungary start on 11 September, where athletes will compete for a top prize of ยฃ111,000. The competition brings together Olympic, world and Diamond League champions, as well as the year's leading performers in a three-day end-of-season event. Davis-Woodhall won long jump gold at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, before winning the Worlds in Tokyo a year later.
โก Effects Interpreter
๐World Economy
- โถInvestors abroad often reprice their bets when this kind of news lands.
- โถThe ripples can spread across borders, nudging growth forecasts here and there.
๐๏ธLocal Economy
- โถHotels and cafes might see a welcome bump from the crowds.
- โถPubs, restaurants and transport near the venue tend to enjoy a big-match boost.
๐ฆRates & Banks
- โถCentral banks watch moments like this closely, so keep an eye on savings rates.
- โถBorrowing costs might hold steady for now, but they can turn on fresh news.
โค๏ธHealth
- โถA great sporting moment can inspire more people to get moving.
- โถThe highs and lows of a big match can affect sleep and stress.
๐ทWealth
- โถSavings and portfolios can see short-lived ups and downs after news like this.
- โถIt could be worth a quick look at your ISA or pension in the coming days.
๐ Housing
- โถAny effect on bricks and mortar is likely to be slow and modest.
- โถHouse prices and rents are unlikely to shift the moment this news breaks.