Saya Sakakibara carried from track after crashing out at Tokyo Olympics

Sakakibara was in position to move through to the gold medal round when she led the third race, but tangled with American Alise Willoughby heading into the last bend.

There were fears for her wellbeing as she was taken for medical treatment, but she returned shortly after to see Mahieu finish sixth in the men's final.

The incident comes after top Australia male rider, her brother Kai Sakakibara crashed heavily in a World Cup event at Bathurst last year, leaving him with major brain and physical injuries which he is still recovering from.

"Saya, I know this isn't what you wanted, but either way, let's go and prepare for the next one," Kai Sakakibara told Seven Network.

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Sakakibara was in tears as she came to terms with not having the chance to win a medal when she was so close to making the final.

"I honestly don't really know what happened," she told Seven.

"I was riding really well, my starts were going really well, I feel like I let everyone down, especially my brother.

"BMX, this is what it is. I had a really good start on that third one, but unfortunately got cut off by Alise and I went down.

"To be honest, I can't believe it's over, it didn't really hit me until that women's race."

Saya had won the second semi-final race to put her firmly in contention for the finals and made a blistering start to the last runs, but missed out on a finals spot by one position as a result of the crash.

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