WARNING: The following video may be upsetting for some viewers.
The Rio Olympics for French gymnast Samir Ait Said ended in brutal fashion as he suffered a broken leg during a vault landing Saturday.
His injury during qualifications was so bad, it caused fans and teammates alike to wince, look away and bury their heads in their hands.
French gymnastics officials tweeted later that the athlete had fractured his tibia and fibula and would have surgery as soon as possible.
Said landed awkwardly after doing two backward flips off the vault.
According to USA Today, it was obvious what went wrong, as the leg made a sharp crack that could be heard throughout the venue.
As Said grabbed around his knee and looked up at his left leg, he saw it flop unnaturally to the side, as he covered his face with his hands.
He was silent, perhaps in too much shock to react otherwise.
The athlete was taken off on a stretcher, giving a wave to the stunned crowd as he was carried away to receive medial treatment.
Said thanked fans for their support following the event and vowed that he would be back to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
French team leader Corrine Moustard-Callon told reporters:
"It is very difficult for the team. He was one of the friendliest on the team which is very difficult … he came to win a medal and gave everything 200 percent."
Incredibly, this is not Said"s first major injury after a vault.
He missed the 2012 Olympics because he fractured his right leg in three places at the European Championships, according to reports.
We wish him nothing but the best in his recovery.
Here"s the footage of his injury:
