Defending Olympic BMX champion Connor Fields has suffered a brain haemorrhage in a horror semi-finals crash at Tokyo but has been moved out of intensive care.
Officials said on Saturday the American had been transferred to a high-level care wing at a Tokyo hospital.
They said a neurosurgeon had been on standby in case surgery was needed for the 28 year old from Las Vegas to relieve pressure on his brain.
But the most recent CT scan showed no additional brain injury and officials said doctors were confident that Fields would not need surgery.
The Rio gold medallist also sustained a collapsed lung and broken ribs.
"Connor is still constantly sleeping but is cogent and communicative when awakened," said his mother Lisa Fields.
No family members of athletes were allowed to travel to Tokyo because of the pandemic so Fields' parents have been getting updates from US Olympic team chief medical officer Jonathan Finnoff.
USA Cycling medical team members and coaching staff also have accompanied Fields to St Luke's International Hospital at Tokyo.
"Connor is getting excellent care at the hospital," Lisa Fields said.
Fields had already qualified for the finals based on his first two heats when the gate dropped for the third one.
He was in the middle of a pack of riders when he landed hard on a jump heading into the first turn.
Fields hit the ground hard and was struck by two other riders, remaining motionless while the rest of the field finished the run before being stretchered to an ambulance.
Australian cyclist Saya Sakakibara also had to be removed on a stretcher following a crash on Saturday in the women's semis.
She was cleared by team medical staff after initially showing symptoms of a mild concussion.
Australian Associated Press
