She was instantly rendered a quadriplegic .
On July 3 , 1980 , two weeks before the Moscow Olympics , Mukhina was practicing the pass containing the Thomas salto when she under - rotated the salto and crash - landed on her chin , snapping her spine .
Mukhina was instantly rendered a quadriplegic .
On July 3 , 1980 , two weeks before the Moscow Olympics , Mukhina was practicing the pass containing the Thomas salto when she under - rotated the salto and crash - landed on her chin , snapping her spine .