"We are able to confirm that Connor Fields has been awakened and is stable. He will be awaiting further medical evaluation." He will be kept in the hospital while he is being evaluated," Dr. Jon Finnoff said, chief medical officer of the United States Olympic Committee.
The semi-final saw the 28-year old race in the third heat. This is where teams race on a bumpy course that includes jumps. Two excellent rides were his first. Then, disaster struck.
Fields, who was riding in a tight group of riders, fell wrongly from a jump and crashed headfirst onto the ground. As he seemed to be unconscious, paramedics secured him to a stretcher and took him off the course.
Felicia Stancil was Fields' training partner and came in fourth place in the women's races. She saw him crash while she was also competing.
"I think about him a lot right at the moment. I'm still a bit emotional," Stancil said in a statement. He's an Olympic champion for life. It's amazing to be surrounded by him and have his support all the time. I was definitely affected by his crash. After I had cried, I won the next lap. After crying up the start hill, I won the race. He is an inspiration."
Fields could not compete in the final but the scores he had in the semi were sufficient to qualify. He finished eighth in the event.
