JESSICA SMITH FLYS BACK TO USA....

Jessica Smith during this year's World Championship in Colombia before her fall

Last night Jessica Smith was competing in the 1000-meter final when she took a very bad fall. It appeared that Jessica fell on her stomach very hard and did not get right back up. As we all know, when you hit your stomach, you usually knock the wind out of you. Well this was no ordinary fall.

Jessica broke her collarbone and needs to have surgery. It was the consensus of Team USA's official trainer, Jessica and her parents that she fly back to the US to see her own doctor and schedule the necessary surgery for a rod and pins.

Jess & Brittany warm-up together

Speaking from experience (Josh has broken one collarbone once and the other one twice), they usually do not do much for you but put you in a sling, tell you to keep it immobile and rest. So this tells me that Jess, who is already as tough as nails, really did a number on her collarbone.

Jessica will be leaving Colombia tomorrow morning with Executive Director, Richard Hawkins who is accompanying her to Texas. USA Roller Sports has purchased Jessica's mother an airline ticket from Michigan to Texas and back to escort Jessica from Texas to Michigan to have the necessary surgery. This assures that Jessica will be with "family" all the way home.

When I spoke to Richard Hawkins he stated that he would have done that for any athlete that had to return from a World Competition due to injury.

Kudos to Richard Hawkins and USA Roller Sports for taking care of Jessica and bringing her mom in.

Jess... take care of yourself. Please let us know how you are doing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Linda