Four-time Olympic speedskating medallist Denny Morrison suffered a femur fracture and other non-life-threatening injuries on Thursday night after a motorcycle crash in Calgary.
Morrison, 29, of Fort St. John, suffered a clean fracture through the middle of his femur and underwent surgery Friday for the placement of a metal rod to stabilize the bone. He will be out for at least three months.
Canada's speedskating body said he could be walking with assistance within four to six weeks. He might also have internal bruising.
"At this moment, our thoughts are with Denny and his family," said Speed Skating Canada's high performance director Brian Rahill. "Under the supervision of our head doctor Victor Lun, we know that Denny is in the care of the best medical professionals.
"It is premature at this point to determine what will come next, as well as the duration of his convalescence. However, knowing Denny's determination, we know he will do everything possible to be back on his feet as soon as possible."
Morrison was the rider involved in the collision at 32nd Avenue N.W. over Crowchild Trail at 6:45 p.m. in which a motorcycle hit a Toyota Corolla with such force that the car flipped on its side.
Police said the 2009 Yamaha YZF R1 motorcycle was heading south on Charleswood Drive approaching Crowchild Trail when it struck a northbound red 2011 Toyota Corolla attempting to turn left from Charleswood to merge onto Crowchild Trail.
The bike tried to stop before hitting the car but was going too fast to brake in time, said Staff Sgt. Paul Stacey with the traffic section, adding the impact forced the Corolla onto its side in the intersection.
"I don't think I've ever seen that before," Stacey said. "The motorcyclist is very lucky to be alive."
He was taken to Foothills Hospital with serious, non-life-threatening injuries.
Two women in their 20s were in the Toyota but did not need to be taken to hospital.
Charges of careless driving or dangerous driving are being considered against the motorcyclist, Stacey said, adding the bike was travelling at an "excessive rate of speed." Alcohol is not believed to be a factor in the collision.
Stacey urged witnesses to contact police.
Morrison has won four Olympic medals in long-track speedskating, including one gold (2010) and one silver (2006) in the team pursuit event.
At the 2014 Sochi Games, he won silver in the 1,000 metres and bronze in the 1,500. This season, he finished first in the overall World Cup rankings in those two events. He also won silver medals in the 1,500 metres and the team pursuit events at the world single distance championships.
This is not the first time Morrison has suffered a serious injury off the speedskating track. He broke his left fibula while cross-country skiing in December of 2012.
