American Olympics winner Tara Davis-Woodhall reveals she is ‘lucky to be alive’ after devastating crash

Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall has revealed that she is “lucky and blessed to be alive” after being involved in a serious car crash. The American track and field star suffered a severe concussion after a head-on collision while driving to training last week. Both vehicles were badly damaged in the accident.The 27-year-old won long jump gold at the Paris Olympics 2024 and is now facing an uncertain period ahead of the World Athletics Ultimate Championship. Davis-Woodhall has not trained since the crash and said she is taking her recovery “day by day” after consulting doctors and physiotherapists.Tara Davis-Woodhall details scary car crash and training setbackTara Davis-Woodhall explained that the accident happened when she pulled into a parking lot while travelling at around 20mph. Another woman reportedly made a turn, resulting in the two vehicles crashing into each other.The impact was serious enough to write off both cars. Davis-Woodhall suffered a severe concussion but said she did not sustain any life-threatening injuries.“I pulled into the parking lot, and this lady just made a turn. We were both going about 20mph, so both of our cars were totalled. It’s very scary. I’m lucky and blessed to be alive and with no life-threatening injuries”, she said per The Sun.The accident has come at a difficult time for the Olympic champion. Davis-Woodhall was preparing for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship and believes she was in excellent form before the crash.The inaugural event is expected to bring together some of the biggest names in athletics. Winners of each event are set to receive a £111,000 prize ($150K).However, Davis-Woodhall’s participation is now uncertain. She has not returned to training since the accident.She has been working with doctors and physiotherapists to determine when she can safely resume her preparation.“I haven’t trained at all due to [the crash]. I’ve seen my doctors and my physios, and everyone’s just trying to get me back into it”, she added.Davis-Woodhall said she is physically recovering, but the accident has also affected her mentally.The timing has been especially frustrating for the American athlete. She said she was performing at the highest level of her career before the accident.“It’s really unfortunate timing. I’m at the peak of my training right now. I’m as fast as I’ve ever been. I’m as strong as I’ve ever been”, she discussed.Davis-Woodhall’s career-best long jump is 7.20 metres. She became one of the biggest stars in American athletics after winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024.She is also known for her relationship with Paralympic champion Hunter Woodhall, whom she married. The couple have become prominent figures in track and field and have a large following.Davis-Woodhall most recently competed at the USATF Outdoor Championships in July. She finished third in both the long jump and the 100m hurdles.Her immediate focus is now recovery rather than competition. With the World Athletics Ultimate Championship approaching, she does not yet know whether she will be able to compete.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.