Canadian Olympic speed skater and Airdronian Brianne Tutt has filed a lawsuit against at least two plaintiffs, the University of Calgary (UofC) and Canada Speed Skating, two years after an accident at the Olympic Oval in 2012.
Tutt was about to complete a practice start at the Oval on Dec. 15, 2012 when she was hit from behind by then 17 year old Christopher Morrison, another speed skater.
Both the UofC and Canada Speed Skating declined to comment, but confirmed they have received a Statement of Claim and are seeking legal council in light of the suit.
Tutt could not be reached for comment by press time.
At the time of Tutt’s accident, her injuries were considered severe and career threatening. She sustained a broken collarbone, a few cracked ribs, cracked vertebra and fractured her skull.
Soon after, Tutt was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face, and some hearing loss in one ear.
At the time of the accident, Tutt competed in her first World Cup in February 2012. She had earned a spot on the Canadian World Cup team for the 2012/13 season.
Just more than a year after the incident, Tutt was named to Canada’s Olympic long track speed skating team for the Sochi Olympics in January 2014. Airdrie’s Davis Chevrolet was one of her sponsors, allowing her the funds to bring family members with her to the Olympic games.
Tutt went on to finish 35th in the 1500-metre in her Olympic debut.
The amount of the lawsuit was not known as of press time.
