Olympic speedskater Denny Morrison recovering from stroke
Posted Apr 24, 2016 9:43 am.
Last Updated Apr 24, 2016 3:26 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Olympic speedskater Denny Morrison is in a hospital bed once again after suffering a stroke in Utah.
The Calgary-based athlete tweeted about the health scare last night after wrapping up a mountain biking trip across Arizona.
Josie Spence, a member of the long track national team who was travelling with Morrison at the time, noticed signs of a cerebrovascular accident and immediately drove him to a nearby hospital.
A CT scan and MRI revealed a brain blood clot and a carotid artery dissesction. Surgery was not necessary.
The olympian released a statement Sunday afternoon.
“The doctor suggested that I recovered quickly because I am a very healthy young person. I would like to thank everyone for their messages of support, and especially Josie who is with me and who was able to recognize the signs quickly,” Morrison said.
This is the second major setback in less than a year for Morrison. He suffered serious injuries, including a spinal fracture and a concussion, nearly a year ago in a motorcycle crash on Crowchild Trail.
Morrison won his first individual medal at the 2014 olympics in Sochi when Gilmore Junio gave up his spot for Morrison, who fell during his run at the national qualifying event. Morrison went on to capture silver in the 1000 metre event.
