American moguls skier Kai Owens couldn't see out of one eye after crash in practice
ZHANGJIAKOU, China – Cupping, dry needling, ice, pressure and some kind of brush for her face — all day, every day, every hour, for the last several days — this was Kai Owens’ entire existence.
With a lot of persistence and medical treatment, the Chinese-born, American raised freeskier was able to compete in the Beijing Winter Olympics Sunday night, finishing in 10th place in the women's moguls. Australia’s Jakara Anthony led the field with a gold medal performance of 83.09. American Jaelin Kauf won the silver with a score of 80.28, and Anastasiia Smirnova of Russia took bronze.
Owens' ability to get to this night came down to the wire. Owens had one last chance to qualify earlier in the day or otherwise risk missing the final medal round.
Owens, 17, missed the opening qualifying round several days earlier, last Tuesday night, when her eye was swollen shut from a crash during a practice run on the same day. Owens, who also had a concussion earlier in the season, was held out by coaches.
“The first day I couldn’t even move my arm,” said Owens. “I was in a sling because of my rotator cuff. And then I couldn’t see out of my eye.”
The team doctor and physical therapist used dry needling and cupping to stimulate healing and circulation, and ice and pressure to reduce inflammation.
Owens also had to pass a series of tests to make sure she wasn’t concussed. She had no symptoms and the results led the staff to give her the green light to race.
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By Sunday night, her eye was still visibly injured, but remarkably healed given how bad it was a few days earlier.
“It was crazy actually, we used like a make up brush on the eye,” said Owens. “To paint some of the swelling out and get my eye used to some tenderness. And then we iced it, lots of pressure.
“It was a big project, it was tough. It’s been a long couple of days. But I made it.”
Still, standing atop the slope at Secret Garden Olympic Moguls Course, thoughts flooded her mind. Owens is in her birth country for the first time since being adopted when she was 16 months old.
“It’s the amount of pressure. It’s the Olympics. I had this little incident. I feel like I have to slay a dragon,” said Owens. “It feels impossible.
“And then I stepped in the gate and I just realized, it’s just a mogul course. I’ve skied moguls my whole life. It almost just makes me smile.
“It’s like full circle to me. Getting to do what I love and compete and be here in China, with these amazing people – and getting to represent the U.S., it’s so incredible. I’m just so happy.”
Owens paused to see her teammate, Jaelin Kauf step to the podium for her silver medal, and got a little emotional. She said it was an honor to be a part of this team.
“I’m just so thankful to be here,” said Owens. “I owe a huge ‘thanks’ to our Team USA staff, U.S. ski and snowboard staff. They helped get me out here tonight.”