Liam Phillips out of hospital after Olympic crash

Liam Phillips (GBR) and David Graf (SUI) crash during the individual BMX cycling quarterfinal heats in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games. Credit: PA

Somerset BMX rider Liam Phillips has been discharged from hospital after a crash in the first quarter‑final run in Rio.

Phillips was one of the favourites for a gold medal but qualified 10th position for an unfavourable seeding in the three-race quarter-finals on Thursday. He crashed with Latvia’s Maris Strombergs, the two-time defending champion, and Switzerland’s David Graf at the first bend of the opening race when in the lead.

BMX rider Liam Phillips. Credit: PA

The 27-year-old from Burnham-on‑Sea was an Olympic finalist in 2012, world champion in 2013 and World Cup series winner in 2014 and 2015.

He took to social media to reassure fans that he was making a speedy recovery.