Chinese Dancer Liu Yan Paralyzed After Fall During Opening Ceremony Rehearsal

After at first covering it up, China has now acknowledged that one of its greatest dancers, Liu Yan, was paralyzed when she fell off a platform during a rehearsal for the Olympic opening ceremony. Here's a look at Liu dancing:

It's heartbreaking to think that a woman with such grace will never dance again.

The New York Times reports that Liu was rushed to a hospital and underwent six hours of surgery, but had already sustained nerve and spinal damage. She has no feeling below her chest and cannot move her lower body, and doctors have told her family that it is unlikely that she will ever walk.

"I never imagined I could suffer such a tragedy," she told the Times. "I hope one day I can just stand up like a normal person."

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

8-14-2008 @ 6:55AM

April said...

This is so sad for anyone. My prayers are with you.

8-14-2008 @ 12:38PM

WildKAT said...

This is heartbreaking. What a magnificent talent. To think of the loss Liu Yan has sustained after spending so many years becoming perfection is just beyond comprehension. It would have been nice if the Chinese had make this public so that she could be honored through a videocast of her before this tragedy.

8-14-2008 @ 10:15PM

katherine said...

a real tragedy...so sad

8-14-2008 @ 2:51PM

hemma said...

Does anyone know why J Horton did not wear his Olympic uniform during the men gymnastics competition last night and was wearing shorts and t top .

8-14-2008 @ 1:19PM

Theresa R Paulino said...

As a former dancer, my heart breaks for her. To see the video of Liu dancing made me cry. I also became a quadrapalygic in December 2007. Now she can only move forward. I hope and pray that she has a good support system. I would love to converse with her if this is at all possible-being that we share similar situations. Because not all spnal cord injurys are the same. You did not mention if hers was a complete or incomplete injury.

8-14-2008 @ 4:10PM

M said...

I could not believe it. When I read it. My prayers are with her.

Theresa, I am also a quad. If you would like to correspond please let me know.

8-14-2008 @ 1:16PM

Jhawkpells said...

That is so sad! She was an unbelievably beautiful dancer. To think that a body that could once move like that, can no longer move at all, is simply tragic.

My prayers are with her.

8-14-2008 @ 1:53PM

cayote said...

This is so tragic,she was such a graceful and beautiful dancer. The smile on her face when she danced said how much she loved what she was doing. I am heart broken for her. My prayers are with you Liu not only that you stand again but also dance.

8-14-2008 @ 2:14PM

Kathy said...

I said a prayer for her while watching her dance. This is such a sad accident. She will walk again give her time.

tomW said...

How incredibly sad this is that someone so graceful and who has worked so hard at her craft will be paralyzed for life. I saw that one of the female swimmers or divers' father was a former collegiate athlete who had also had a spinal injury while playing a sport. There are some risks to what is being done but it is a shame, after seeing the elegant dance in the attached video, that she will spend her life missing the dance.

Billy said...

Wow. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. I pray she will recover.

8-14-2008 @ 2:36PM

ann Alba said...

I could not imagine ever having to go through something like that. Being an avid dancer myself. My heart go out to her and her family.
Good Luck

8-14-2008 @ 2:44PM

Mancha de Platano said...

Such beauty never goes away.........

8-14-2008 @ 2:55PM

verne glassman said...

There are only so many truely beautiful things in the world to enjoy and I have to say I believe we have lost one of the finest. It reminds me to appreciate and enjoy such treasures when we can and they may not be here tomorrow. I wish her all the best and hope medical science may one day give her back some of the joy she has given us.

8-14-2008 @ 3:05PM

lonnie said...

What a true tradedy. But remember people, sometimes tadegdy can lead to even greter greatness.

8-14-2008 @ 3:41PM

Cindy said...

Such sadness. She is a truly beautiful and graceful woman. My thoughts and prayers are with her.

8-14-2008 @ 4:03PM

Mignette said...

I do hope that someone, somewhere in the medical field who specializes in spinal cord injuries can think of a way to restore the mobility of her limbs.

I pray that the LORD will mend her body and others too who have suffered injuries of this kind.

It is sad that this tragedy has happened.