China's snowboarder Liu Jiayu injured in women's snowboard halfpipe qualification at Milan-Cortina

LIVIGNO, Italy -- Chinese snowboarder Liu Jiayu suffered a heavy fall during the second run of qualifying in the women's halfpipe at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics on Wednesday, losing control at her final takeoff and crashing headfirst into the pipe.

Liu, who remained motionless for several minutes, was placed on a rescue sled and transported by medical staff to the on-site medical center.

Medical staff later said initial assessments indicated Liu was unlikely to have suffered a cervical spine injury, with the injury believed to be related to head impact.

The 33-year-old is competing in her fifth Winter Olympics. Her best Olympic result came at the PyeongChang 2018 Games, where she won a silver medal in the women's halfpipe.