'It added to the story': Doctor's discovery that proves how bold skiers like Aussie flag bearer Matt Graham have to be

In an indication of just how dangerous a sport mogul skiing is, and just how courageous those who pursue it at an elite level have to be, consider the doctor's appointment Matt Graham had after crashing in Italy early last year.

The Australian was getting scans on his ribs after losing control and thundering into one of the many unforgiving bumps on the course — a crash that left him spewing blood and nursing severe bruising — when it was inadvertently discovered that in a separate crash months earlier he had fractured his neck.

"It added to the story," Graham, speaking with Wide World of Sports, says with a wry smile.

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The 31-year-old has overcome a punishing injury toll spanning the best part of two decades on his way to the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.

Which, considering mogul skiing requires tearing down a hill riddled with mounds of snow, and in the same run soaring high into the air off jumps to perform tricks, is not surprising.

But with the high risk comes a wild thrill.

"That's the exciting thing about a lot of winter sports; you're playing with inches, you're dancing on the precipice of being in control and being out of control," says Graham, who hails from Gosford on the NSW Central Coast.

"Sometimes you just go a little bit too hard, and you hopefully just blow out of the course and you're fine, but sometimes you get caught up and the only way down is to tumble.

"It's nice to know that I can still tumble and take a hit and get up from it and keep going. Ideally you stay on your feet.

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"When it comes to competition and you're pushing for a medal at a major event, you've really got to have that urge to push it a little bit harder. Sometimes you go a little too far and it backfires.

"So it's about finding that sweet spot where you're in control enough to make it look really good and execute everything in the run cleanly, but then you've also got to be on the edge enough that the pace is going to be there because we're scored on time, as well."

In Livigno in Italy's north on Saturday morning (AEDT), Graham will carry the Australian flag at the opening ceremony alongside superstar teammate Jakara Anthony, the reigning Olympic gold medallist in the women's singles moguls.

Graham is set for his fourth Olympic appearance, 12 years after debuting in Sochi.

His build-up to the 2022 Beijing Olympics was derailed when he crashed while training in Sweden only two months out, breaking his collarbone.

He was the reigning World Cup champion, and had won silver at the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, but after his tumultuous lead-in he bowed out in the qualifying round.

"That event really hurt me personally, and I always say the broken collarbone hurt, but nothing in comparison to how much the aftermath of those Olympics hurt and what unfolded there," Graham recalls.

"When I was over there, though, I believed I was in contention for a medal ... but it just wasn't to be."

Graham is gunning for an elusive Olympic gold medal in what will likely be his last Olympic appearance, but he says his hard-luck Beijing campaign isn't a major source of motivation.

The New South Welshman will have a chance to win gold in two events at these Games, after the addition of dual moguls to Olympic competition.

"I always just want the best out of myself; that's what's motivating me and pushing me forward, and knowing that I'm getting to the back end of my career, rather than what happened four years ago," Graham says.

The little family he's created with his wife, Jess, is also spurring him on.

He and Jess had their daughter, Ada, in September 2024.

Jess and Ada will be course-side as Graham goes for gold.

"Ada's obviously not gonna remember this experience, but it would be cool to get some really special photos and videos that one day she can look back on and, I guess, appreciate that she was part of this journey," he says.

"They get into Livigno the day before qualification ... Even if I don't get to see them before that qualification round, knowing that they'll be there in the finish area is gonna be pretty cool."