Long jumper Tara Davis-Woodhall left with ‘severe concussion’ after car crash, leaving World Athletics Ultimate Championships participation in doubt
By Becky Hart
Updated 02/09/2026 at 23:06 GMT+1
Tara Davis-Woodhall has updated her fans on social media after a head-on car crash left the American long jumper with arm injuries and a concussion, placing her participation in the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships in doubt.
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Davis-Woodhall uploaded footage of the crash to her Instagram account, showing two cars colliding head-on at what appeared to be relatively low speeds.
Nonetheless, the Olympic champion was left with injuries to her arm, which she included in the footage.
”Last week I was involved in a head-on collision on my way to practice. Luckily I walked away without any major injuries,” she wrote.
”However, a severe concussion and other injuries have not allowed me to train.
"At this point I’m working with my team and doctors to get healthy but I’m not sure if I will be ready to compete at Ultimate Championships next week. More updates to come.”
Davis-Woodhall took gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2025 World Championships.
The 27-year-old was expected to compete at the Ultimate Championships in Budapest, which is designed to pit the top-12 ranked athletes per event against each other.
She added that she felt "lucky and blessed to be alive," as reported by the BBC.
"It's really unfortunate timing; I am at the peak of my training right now," she said.
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"I'm as fast as I've ever been. I'm as strong as I've ever been. So this decision is very difficult for me. I don't know where I am right now."
Plenty of Davis-Woodhall’s team-mates from the American team were quick to offer their thoughts, with 200m star Gabby Thomas commenting: ”This is so scary!! Recovery first. Glad you’re okay.”
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Tara Davis-Woodhall with her Paris 2024 Olympic gold medal
Image credit: Getty Images
”So glad you are okay. Sending love,” added Allyson Felix.
Davis-Woodhall has won the past three major events she has entered and achieved a personal best of 7.20m earlier this year.
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