Jamie Nieto finished fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, and sixth in London in 2012.

Former US Olympic high jumper Jamie Nieto suffered a severe spinal cord injury last weekend, a tragic development for an athlete who was already suffering such financial hardship he had cancelled his health insurance prior to the injury.

The 39-year-old Nieto, attempting a backflip, landed on his head at Azusa Pacific University on Saturday afternoon while working with other athletes who were preparing for the Rio Games.

According to TMZ, Nieto’s injury was so severe it required a helicopter to transport him directly to USC Medical Centre.

“We were very close to losing him at one stage,” his manager, Paul Doyle, told TMZ.

“But thankfully the MRI came back with no broken neck and the spinal cord remained intact.”

Doyle said the two-time Olympian is starting to get feeling back in his legs and arms.

But Nieto faces a long road of hurdles ahead with expensive rehabilitation up next.

Knowing his situation, friend and track star Lolo Jones has set up a fundraising campaign on athletebiz.com on Nieto’s behalf to help him overcome the latest high bar in his path.

“Someone who has helped represent Team USA in the last few Olympics, we should be able to help him now in his most trying time,” she said in a video posted Sunday.

“He is one of the most amazing athletes I know, and he’s always been a light for me.

“I just beg of you to please donate to him so that we can help him get back on his feet.”

Jones’ campaign had raised $9,457 as of Tuesday evening. Her goal is to reach $20,000.

Nieto represented the US in two of the previous three Summer Games, but did not win a medal. His best finish was fourth in the Athens Olympics in 2004 before finishing sixth at the London Olympics in 2012.

Nieto earned the 2003 Pan Am Games silver medal and is a three-time USA outdoor champion. He had been working as a private coach for elite groups of jumpers.