A cyclist from Cuba who crashed during the Pan American Games in Toronto on Saturday needed stitches after a splinter from the track became embedded in her arm following a crash.

TV footage clearly shows each end of the splinter, about 8 centimetres long, protruding from Lisandra Guerra’s upper right arm.

The crash took place during the first heat of Guerra’s sprint quarter final against Mexico’s Luz Gaxiola, and led to the Cuban, who needed four stitches, withdrawing from the competition.

The event was won by Canada’s Monique Sullivan, who beat compatriot Kate O’Sullivan 2-0 in the final.

Four years ago, Malaysian track sprinter Azizulhasni Awang needed surgery to have an even longer splinter removed from his leg following a crash at the Track World Cup in Manchester.