Austrian breaks neck in snowboard crash

Markus Schairer of Austria is heading home for treatment after breaking his neck in a frightening crash during the Olympic men’s snowboardcross quarterfinals.

Schairer lost control on the final jump of the treacherous downhill course Thursday. He slammed into the snow on his back, sending his goggles flying. He got to his feet before being taken for a medical examination.

The Austrian Olympic Committee said Schairer fractured the fifth vertebrae in his neck. It said nothing indicates the 30-year-old Schairer experienced any neurological impairment or long-term damage.

Skier finds silver lining in broken thumb

Call it a good news-bad news scenario for Gus Kenworthy.

The outspoken freestyle skier broke his thumb in training Thursday.

He tweeted a picture of his X-ray, along with one of his freshly casted hand and included this quip: “It won’t stop me from competing (obvi) but it does prevent me from shaking Pence’s hand so … Silver linings!”

Kenworthy, who came out as gay about two years after his silver medal win at the Sochi Games, has been critical of U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, who was in South Korea for the start of the games.

Kenworthy previously has said he would not go to the White House as part of the traditional visit the U.S. Olympic team makes after the games.

Tongan skier not dressed for success

Tongan cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua joked that he has two goals when he competes in his first Winter Olympic event on Friday: Don’t hit a tree and finish before they turn off the lights.

The medal podium is far from the mind of the “shirtless” Tongan, who qualified for the cross-country event despite having taken up the sport less than a year ago and having spent less than 12 weeks of his life on snow.

Taufatofua, 34, said his real long-term goal is to inspire others from the South Pacific to give the Olympics a shot. He’s doing a good job so far as one of few athletes to compete in the Summer and Winter Games.

Russia: 30 approved for Paralympics

The Russian Paralympic Committee said 30 of its athletes have been approved to compete as neutrals at next month’s Pyeongchang Games.

The RPC said the International Paralympic Committee “provisionally registered” the 30 athletes along with seven guides, who accompany blind athletes during competitions.

Decisions on three more Russian athletes will follow within seven to 10 days, the RPC added.

The IPC previously said it will allow around 30 to 35 Russians to compete at the Paralympics if it’s satisfied they’re clean, as part of measures imposed over doping in Russia.

The Russians at the Pyeongchang Games will be known as “Neutral Paralympic Athletes.”

The 168 athletes cleared by the IOC to participate in the Pyeongchang Winter Games are competing under the “Olympic athletes from Russia” banner.