Cyclist's arm skewered by five-inch wood splinter

Cuba's Lisandra Guerra was taking part in the track cycling events at the Pan-Am Games in Toronto, where she was defending the gold medals she won in the sprint and time trial events four years ago.

Guerra sustained the horrific injury when she came off her bike after a collision with Mexico's Luz Gaxiola. She skidded along the track at the velodrome, and the giant shard of wood embedded itself in her upper right arm.

At first Guerra barely seemed to notice what was wrong - but when she realised she had been skewered, her face says it all: total shock.

She had the splinter removed with four stitches putting right the damage - but has been forced to pull out of the Games.

That was a big blow for Guerra, especially when you consider the precedents: in the 2011 Track Cycling World Cup, Malaysia's Azizulhasni Awang picked up an even bigger splinter, but got back on his bike and won bronze.

He later needed surgery, but made a full recovery and was Malaysia's flag bearer at London 2012.