Australian Winter Olympics medallist David Morris has revealed his difficult decision to continue training for the Pyeongchang Games as his mother battles cancer.
The aerial skier, who captured silver at the Sochi Games of 2014, says his family was shattered after learning his non-smoking mother, Margaret, had lung cancer.
They found out about the diagnosis just before Christmas when she complained about back pains and later discovered the cancer had spread to that area.
"Whilst there would be no good time to hear news like this, it's certainly not good timing," Morris wrote on Facebook.
"Mum is seeing an oncologist and having further tests, to determine the most appropriate way to attack this, and that is what we will be doing, fighting as hard as we can.
"As the reality of this started to set in I contemplated going home during this very difficult time. I found that my Olympic training is just not that important when compared to life's true priorities which are family and health.
"For the moment I will continue my training and Olympic preparation as mum has informed me she will 'kick my butt' if I do anything to jeopardise all my years of hard work."
Morris said his mother would still go to Pyeongchang if able to but would not be attending any of his pre-Games competitions.
The Morris family have been regular travellers with David during his skiing career and can be frequently seen loudly supporting the 33-year-old at major events.
Morris has had a slow start to the World Cup season with a best place of ninth but is a big event performer having captured silver four years ago as well as bronze at the 2017 world championships.
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