Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall has raised concerns over her participation in next week’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship after suffering a severe concussion in a car crash. The American revealed on Instagram that the head-on collision happened last week while she was driving to a training session, leaving her unable to train ahead of the September 11 event.
Davis-Woodhall, who won Olympic gold in the women’s long jump at the 2024 Paris Games and successfully defended her world title in Tokyo last year, shared footage of the crash on social media. With her recovery still ongoing, her status for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship remains uncertain as she deals with the effects of the concussion.
Watch: Tara Davis-Woodhall’s Car Crash Leaves Olympic Champion With Concussion
Tara Davis-Woodhall’s participation in next week’s World Athletics Ultimate Championship is uncertain after the Olympic and world long jump champion suffered a severe concussion in a head-on car crash. The 27-year-old American revealed on Instagram that the accident happened last week while she was driving to practice. Although she escaped without life-threatening injuries, the concussion and other injuries have prevented her from training.
“Last week I was involved in a head on collision on my way to practice,” she wrote. “Luckily I walked away without any major injuries. 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.”
Speaking to reporters during an athlete conference call on Wednesday, Davis-Woodhall revealed that both vehicles were totalled in the crash, which occurred in a car park. “It was a head on collision and I’m not able to train,” she said. “I’m pretty down right now and am trying to work out how best to get back on the horse. I had severe concussion but no life threatening injuries.” She added, “It happened on the way to practise in a car park. Both cars were totalled. It was very scary and I’m lucky to be alive. For now I’m taking it day by day. It’s unfortunate as I was at the peak of my training.”
Tara Davis-Woodhall Opens Up on Mental Struggles as Ultimate Championship Participation Hangs in Balance
The accident has also taken a mental toll on Davis-Woodhall, who said she has been working with doctors and physiotherapists as she focuses on recovery. “I’m physically okay. Mentally, it’s just something’s going on in there.” The timing has made the setback particularly frustrating, as she believed she was in the best shape of her career heading into the event. “It’s really unfortunate timing,” she said. “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.”
Davis-Woodhall earned an automatic invitation to the inaugural Ultimate Championship after winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024 and defending her world title in Tokyo last year. The Budapest event is scheduled for September 11-13, with Davis-Woodhall also named among the competition’s “Ultimate Stars” alongside Mondo Duplantis, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, Letsile Tebogo and Noah Lyles. She was also set to serve as a lead content creator during the event’s build-up and coverage. However, with the competition just days away, she remains unsure whether she will be able to compete. “This decision is very difficult for me,” she said. “I don’t know where I am right now. So, day by day.”
