New Delhi: Switzerland cyclist Muriel Furrer on Friday passed away after sustaining a blow on his head as a result of crash during the World Championships in Zurich. While competing in the women’s junior road race, the 18-year-old collapsed massively as the event took place under wet conditions.
According to a report by news agency AFP, Furrer was airlifted to the nearby hospital in a critical condition. She fell in a forest above Kusnacht, which is situated on the eastern shore of Zürichsee (Lake Zurich). Minutes followed after the accident that the cyclist was found, but World Championship organising committee couldn’t provide exact details on what took them so long to find the cyclist, as media reports in the European nation suggests.
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), which is the global governing body of the sport, confirmed the death of the teenager
“Muriel Furrer sadly passed away today at Zurich University Hospital. It is with great sadness that the UCI and the Organising Committee of the 2024 UCI Road and Para-cycling Road World Championships today learned the tragic news. The international cycling community loses a rider with a bright future ahead of her,” UCI issued a statement.
The International cycling body said the investigations are on, but the remaining matches of the World Championships scheduled on Saturday and Sunday will go accordingly.
“Investigations by the competent authorities are underway. The World Championship flags will be flown at half-mast for the rest of the competition, and the protocol ceremonies have been scaled back. The UCI gala that was due to take place on Saturday evening has been cancelled,” said Senn.
Furrer won silver in both the junior time trial and road race at this year’s Swiss nationals.
Swiss Cycling said on X: “Our hearts are broken, we have no words. We are losing a warm-hearted and wonderful young woman who always had a smile on her face. There is no understanding, only pain and sadness.”
Why deaths occur regularly on Tours?
The world road races, of varying lengths depending on the age categories, end on a final circuit in and around Zurich and take several winding roads and descents which can be dangerous, especially in the rain.
Last year, Swiss cycling was hit by the death of Gino Maeder, 26, after a freak fall coming downhill at high speed during the Tour of Switzerland. In July, Norwegian rider Andre Drege, 25, died after a fall, again on a descent, during the fourth stage of the Tour of Austria.
The first half of the season also witnessed several serious crashes involving star riders such as Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. Many riders have said that the increased efficiency and speed of modern bicycles is making the sport more dangerous.
(With inputs from AFP)
Muriel Furrer was airlifted to the nearby hospital in a critical condition. She fell in a forest above Kusnacht, which is situated on the eastern shore of Zürichsee (Lake Zurich). Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
