MILAN-CORTINA D’AMPEZZO — Australian short track speed skater Brendan Corey, 29, is making a remarkable comeback to the Winter Olympics just a year after a life-threatening accident at the 2025 Beijing Short Track World Championships.
During the quarterfinal of the men’s 1,000m, Corey suffered a terrifying injury when Chinese skater Liu Xiaoang fell, sending his skate blade through Corey’s neck. The blade narrowly missed a major artery, but caused two deep lacerations and a severe fracture to his thyroid cartilage, leaving Corey unable to speak or swallow normally for some time.
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“I was holding my neck tightly with my hands until I got to the hospital,” Corey recalled. “It was really close. I was fortunate that it didn’t hit the artery.” He described the pain of swallowing in the aftermath of the injury, saying even drinking a glass of juice took an hour.
Despite the severity of the accident, Corey has made a full recovery and will compete in the men’s 1,000m short track qualifying round at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which began on February 7. Reflecting on his return to the ice, he said, “I don’t think at all about ‘would I get hurt again.’ I only focus on the race.”
Corey’s resilience and determination have made him an inspiration in the world of short track speed skating, showcasing a rare combination of courage, mental strength, and athletic talent.