Team USA hockey star Brianna Decker SCREAMS in agony as her leg gets trapped in a sickening position under her opponent in a nasty tangle behind the goal, ruling her out of the rest of the Beijing Olympics T

 Team USA's women's hockey star Brianna Decker will miss the rest of the Winter Olympics after injuring her left leg in the Americans' tournament-opening victory against Finland.

The 30-year-old was in severe pain after being brought down on the ice at the Beijing Games on Thursday. 

The forward was hurt when she was tripped from behind by Ronja Savolainen midway through the first period Thursday night. Decker's left leg appeared to get stuck under her opponent as the pair got in a tangle behind the goal.

The assistant captain let out sickening screams in agony as her third Olympics appearance lasted only a few minutes. 

Team USA's women's hockey star Brianna Decker let out screams in agony after collision

USA's assistant captain will miss the rest of the Olympics after suffering left leg injuryDecker was unable to put any weight on her left leg and was taken off the ice on a stretcher.

Team USA, who are the reigning champions, later confirmed that her Games were over after sustaining a 'lower-body injury'.

Captain Kendall Coyne Schofield described Decker's collision as 'awful'.

'It is a tough loss, especially so early in this tournament,' Kessel said on Team USA's official website.

Decker was unable to put any weight on her left leg was taken off the ice on a stretcher

Team USA, who are the reigning champions, later confirmed that her Games were over

Decker's injury was the second to a key player on the first day of women's hockey in Beijing. Canadian forward Melodie Daoust was injured after being checked hard into the boards by Switzerland's Sarah Foster.

Meanwhile, around 80 per cent of US athletes will take part in the opening ceremony later today, team chief Rick Adams said ahead of the ceremony on Friday.

'In terms of opening ceremony, it may even be a record, we have 80 per cent of our athletes walking tonight,' he told a news conference.

A report in the Washington Post on Thursday said US based human rights activists had been working with athletes from several western countries on a boycott of the ceremony.

Attendance at the Olympics opening ceremony is not compulsory for athletes, who often skip it for a variety of reasons. 

WARNING - DISTRESSING AUDIO