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Tokyo 2020: Australian Alex Porter speaks for first time since horror cycling crash in men's team pursuit

Peter DevlinThe West Australian
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VideoAlex Porter talks to Anna Meares about that horrific cycling accident

Alex Porter has given an emotional interview following a horror cycling crash in the men's team pursuit event at the Tokyo Olympics.

Porter was competing with teammates Kelland O'Brien, Sam Welsford and Leigh Howard in qualifying for the team pursuit when his handlebars snapped going around a bend at 65 kilometres per hour.

The 25-year-old Aussie was catapulted forward onto the track marking an end to the race in a confusing moment he says “felt like a dream.”

Alex Porter talks to Anna Meares about THAT horrific cycling accident.
Camera IconAlex Porter talks to Anna Meares about THAT horrific cycling accident. Credit: 7

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“I’m battered and bruised… I’ve lost most of the skin down the centre of my face and a good chunk from my arm,” he told Channel 7.

“My brain is still trying to work it out. I had done my turn, I was on the back, I was settling in for my next go at the front and all of a sudden I felt my arms pointing down.

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“I could see the track getting closer to my face and at first it felt like a dream because I couldn’t work out what was happening.

Porter speaking to his coach shortly after the accident.
Camera IconPorter speaking to his coach shortly after the accident. Credit: 7

“Just before I hit the track it clicked that something on my bike had fallen away and before I knew it I was sliding.”

The Olympian admitted his initial reaction was anger, but it shortly turned to determination when his coach asked him if he was ready to give it another shot.

“I was really angry, I was really frustrated, we had put in so much hard work… but then I had to refocus so we could go again.”

The Olympian admitted his initial reaction was anger, but it shortly turned to determination when his coach asked him if he was ready to give it another shot.
Camera IconThe Olympian admitted his initial reaction was anger, but it shortly turned to determination when his coach asked him if he was ready to give it another shot. Credit: 7

“I was just so caught up in the moment, I knew all the guys had put in so much work and I wanted to go out there and do everything I could to make sure we had a chance to bring home a gold medal.”

“The green and gold jersey is something I had been working for my entire life… I felt that I needed to do it proud, all my family and friends proud, and my country proud.”

Porter received cuts and abrasions to his face and arm but thankfully was not seriously injured.

He and his teammates were given a second run, where they ranked fifth with a time of 3 minutes 48.448 seconds.

The team missed out on the gold medal race, but are still in the running for a bronze medal.

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