The world and double Olympic champion Hermann Maier is almost certain to miss the 2002 Winter Olympics after being seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on Friday.

Maier had been on his way home from the Austrian Olympic skiing team's summer camp in Obertauern near Salzburg, when his motorcycle collided with the Mercedes of a 73-year-old German tourist, who reportedly swerved across the road.

Maier suffered a compound fracture of his right leg as he was thrown into a ravine. The severe soft-tissue damage which will keep him in hospital for weeks if not months.

Jo Schmidt, spokesman of the Austrian skiing federation, said the decision on whether Maier would go to the United States would not be taken for six or seven weeks.

"It is still much too early to tell," he said. "Obviously we all hope Hermann will make a comeback because he is our strongest skier. Given his attitude, I am sure he could get back into top form providing his health allows it."

Maier's accident came at a time when he was coming into form, recording his best-ever Super G times recently while training in Chile.

What do you think? Tell us on the Message Boards