Austrian synchronized swimmers hurt in bus collision in Baku

Austrian synchronized swimmers hurt in bus collision in Baku

PanARMENIAN.Net - Three 15-year-old Austrian synchronized swimmers were hurt in a collision with a bus while walking in the athletes' village at the European Games in Baku, BBC Sport reports.

The Austrian Olympic Committee (AOC) said Vanessa Sahinovic was "severely injured" and would be flown to Vienna for further treatment.

Luna Pajer will also be flown back to the Austrian capital after suffering injuries to her arms. Verena Breit bruised her right thigh and has returned to the village.

The AOC said the collision happened at 08:30 local time on Thursday, June 11, when the athletes were walking on the pavement in the Olympic village.

AOC chief medical officer Dr Alfred Engel said Sahinovic had suffered a polytrauma and multiple fractures. He added Payer's arm injuries "need further medical clarification".

Team doctor Robert Kandelhard will accompany the two athletes on their return to Vienna.

"We're shocked about the accident and took all necessary steps right away," said AOC secretary general Peter Mennel.

The AOC said Breit "got off lightly" with "slight injuries". It added: "The other two girls were brought to the university clinics of Baku, where they received initial treatment. It was decided that they should be transported back home immediately."

The inaugural European Games feature 20 sports, 16 of which will be included in next year's Olympics, and begin on 12 June.

Meanwhile, British newspaper The Guardian claims it has been banned from entering Azerbaijan to cover the event.

It says the decision "appears to be linked" to its report on the country's preparations for the event, which contained criticism of the government's "clampdown on freedom of speech and any political opposition".

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