Brendan Corey is gearing up for his second Winter Olympics in Italy this week, but his journey back to the top of the ice has been anything but ordinary.
The 29-year-old Melbourne-based speed skater is preparing to race in the men’s 1000m heats, yet just over a year ago, his career — and his life — were at serious risk.
Corey’s story took a dramatic turn during the 2025 World Championships in Beijing.
Competing in the quarter-final of the men’s 1000m, he was entering the final lap when chaos struck.
Canadian-born Chinese competitor Liu Shaoang slipped, crashing head-first into the ice.
In the split second that followed, Shaoang’s raised skate blade caught Corey across the neck.
Both skaters fell, sliding into the barrier at the side of the rink.
The Horror of the Injury
Corey recalls the moment vividly. “I basically laid on the ice with my hand tightly pressed against my neck until I was in the hospital,” he told Nine’s Wide World of Sport.
The collision left him with two cuts to his neck and a fractured thyroid cartilage.
A single misstep could have been catastrophic.
“It was extremely close. It could have been much, much worse than it was,” he said.
Fortunately, no major arteries were hit.
The injury brought everyday tasks to a halt. Corey was unable to speak or swallow for weeks.
Drinking a simple glass of juice took nearly an hour as every movement of his Adam’s apple caused pain and risked piercing his esophagus.
His doctor, alarmed by the severity, compared it to injuries typically seen only in high-impact car accidents.
Road to Recovery
Returning to Australia, Corey embarked on a grueling rehabilitation process.
The physical challenges were immense, but so were the mental hurdles.
“Overcoming that ordeal has made me stronger as a person,” he said.
He emphasized that fear no longer shadows him on the ice.
“When I get on the ice for a race, I’m fully focused on the race, not dwelling on: ‘Am I going to get cut in the neck again?’”
This wasn’t Corey’s first brush with career-threatening injury.
A concussion in 2019 while playing ice hockey forced him to reconsider representing Canada.
That pivotal moment ultimately led him to switch allegiances and pursue qualification for the Australian team.
His decision paid off: Corey placed fifth in the 1000m World Cup A-final in 2021 and represented Australia at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, finishing 15th overall.
Eyeing Olympic Glory
Now, after recovering from his near-fatal accident, Corey is back with his sights set on a medal in Italy.
His preparation has been meticulous, combining physical training with strategic study of his competitors.
“I think I’m in for a chance. I’ve been studying my competitors quite intensely over the past two months,” he said.
Corey is confident in both his body and his tactics, ready to give every ounce of effort on race day.
Corey’s journey underscores the resilience and mental toughness required at the elite level of speed skating, where fractions of a second can decide outcomes and one misstep can be life-altering.
His story is a reminder of the thin line between triumph and disaster in high-speed sports.
What’s Next?
Corey will take part in the men’s 1000m heats this Tuesday at the Winter Olympics.
With his focus on strategy, experience, and a strong physical comeback, he is aiming not just to compete but to contend for a medal.
Beyond Italy, Corey hopes to continue representing Australia in future international competitions and to inspire other athletes facing injury setbacks.
Summary
Brendan Corey’s journey from a near-fatal skate accident to competing at the Winter Olympics is a story of resilience, strategy, and sheer determination.
From suffering a severe neck injury in Beijing in 2025 to overcoming months of painful rehabilitation, the Australian speed skater is now back on the ice and focused on Olympic success.
His career has seen international representation, a strategic switch from Canada to Australia, and top placements in World Cups, making him one of the sport’s most determined and inspiring athletes.
Corey is ready to transform past trauma into future triumph as he races in Italy this week.
