Olympic champion Cate Campbell comes down in ‘body bag’ after hurting knee in ski accident

Australian Olympic great Cate Campbell has posted video of her recent trip down a mountain slope in a body bag – but there’s no risk of her demise.

Cate Campbell injured her knee skiing.

It’s the video that led to rumours of the demise of one of Australia’s great Olympic champions.

But vision of Cate Campbell being brought down from the Japanese slopes in a body bag – vision she posted on her social media channels having a laugh at herself – is thankfully an indication of a knee injury sustained while skiing rather than the premature end of the swimming great.

Part of the video shows Campbell mastering the slopes of Mt Kenashi (Nozawa) before getting her right ski stuck and hearing a “pop” in her knee.

A grateful Campbell was picked up by the ski patrol before completing her first black run on a stretcher covered by a protective zipped canvas layer resembling a body bag.

The incident showed just why the four-time Olympic gold medallist spent so much of her career avoiding risk – something she is embracing following last year’s retirement.

Cate Campbell took a trip down the slopes in a 'body bag'.

The 32-year-old took the mickey out of herself with her post, ensuring followers she was fine and would undergo scans on return to Australia.

“Skiing is great until you find yourself hurtling down the mountain in a body bag,” she said on Instagram.

Her invitation for others to poke fun at her misfortune was quickly taken up – and her nearest and dearest haven’t missed.

“I’m obvs (obviously) glad you’re ok but I’m more glad someone filmed this,” sister and fellow Olympic champion Bronte Campbell said.

Former world champion and swimming commentator Giaan Rooney advised Campbell to “have a drink in the hot tub watching other people ski”, while Olympic legend Emma McKeon thought it was a meme before realising it was actually Campbell in the “bag”.

Cate Campbell hurt her knee on the slopes.

Former world aerial ski champion Jacqui Cooper, whose 2002 Winter Olympic hopes were wrecked by a horrific knee injury offered knee rehab tips, while Olympic snowboarder also offered her condolences.

“If it makes you feel any better, I still get to ride those things down,” she said.

The comments “winner” though had to be Paralympic champion Curt McGrath, the former soldier who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan: “At least I didn’t have to worry about this injury. Good to hear you’re alright.”

Originally published as Olympic champion Cate Campbell comes down in ‘body bag’ after hurting knee in ski accident