Australian BMX star Izaac Kennedy remains hopeful of competing at the Paris Olympics despite having to pull out of the world championships because of injury.
Kennedy, the newly crowned World Cup series champion and the top Australian hope in BMX racing for the Games, suffered a wrist fracture on Thursday when he crashed at training.
He has had surgery and it is unclear how long the injury will keep him off the bike, but an AusCycling spokesman said the initial prognosis is that he should be ready for the Olympics.
It is understood that despite being forced out of the world titles at Rock Hill in South Carolina, he will satisfy selection criteria.
A month out from last year's worlds, Kennedy also was badly injured when he crashed during a race.
He ruptured three ligaments in his left knee, including the ACL, as well as a bone fracture in his left ankle.
On day one of senior competition at the worlds, Australian two-time women's World Cup champion Saya Sakakibara won her round-one heat.
She and fellow Tokyo Olympian Lauren Reynolds are into the quarter-finals on Sunday (AEST).
Compatriot Josh Davies has also reached the men's quarter-finals, with the world titles to be decided later on Sunday.
