PHOTOS: Gymnast Samir Ait Said Vaulting Injury & Performances [GRAPHIC]

Samir Ait Said, who is considered one of France’s top gymnasts, suffered a “gruesome” leg injury during a vault landing during a men’s gymnastics qualification session at the Rio Olympics on Aug. 6, NBC said. Said was “a medal contender on still rings” who was likely to make it into the final. NBC said Said “is a four-time European championships medalist on rings, including gold in 2013.” According to USA Today, Said “suffered one of the most gruesome injuries you’ll see at an Olympics or any other competition.” USA Today said that Said’s left leg “snapped” when he tried to land after doing the vault. “He crumpled to the floor and, as he clutched his leg at the knee, his foot and the lower half of his shin flopped to the left,” said the newspaper. He was immediately given medical care. EuropSport said that Said had “mistimed” his landing and that television cameras quickly turned away from coverage of the injury. The Sydney Morning Herald said that Said “competed at the World Championships in Glasgow in 2015” and was taken out of the arena on a stretcher, raising his arm to acknowledge the applause from the audience. “The Frenchman won gold on the rings at the 2013 European Championships and silver on the same apparatus in 2015,” said The Sydney Morning Herald.(Getty)

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