Olympic long jump champion Tara Davis-Woodhall has ended her 2026 season early after suffering severe concussion in a car crash, ruling her out of this week's World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Hungary. The decision is a significant blow for the 27-year-old American, who has been one of the sport's dominant figures, having won long jump gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics and retained her title at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo.

Davis-Woodhall was involved in a "very scary" head-on collision in August while travelling to training, with both vehicles, then moving at around 20mph, written off, though she said her injuries were not life-threatening at the time. She expressed sadness and disappointment on social media but vowed to return. The Ultimate Championship, starting on 11 September, brings together Olympic, world and Diamond League champions for a three-day, end-of-season event with a top prize of £111,000.