US gymnast Sam Cerio breaks both her legs in terrifying video of floor routine

Warning: Some readers might find the following video distressing. 

On Friday, US gymnast, Sam Cerio, broke both her legs during a regional competition in Louisiana.

The athlete's floor routine ended in horror when she came out of her double handspring landing badly on her legs and reportedly breaking them both as well as dislocating her knees. In this graphic video, Sam can be seen screaming in pain as she grabs both of her legs and waits for medical assistance. Following her horrific injury, Sam announced her retirement on Instagram, writing:

"Friday night was my final night as a gymnast. "After 18 years I am hanging up my grips and leaving the chalk behind. "I couldn’t be prouder of the person that gymnastics has made me to become. "It’s taught me hard work, humility, integrity, and dedication, just to name a few."

Continuing she noted that it wasn't the way she wanted to end her time as a gymnast but felt it was the right thing to do.

"It’s given me challenges and road blocks that I would have never imagined that has tested who I am as a person. "It may not have ended the way I had planned, but nothing ever goes as planned."

Sam was named athlete of the year by her college and will graduate this year with an engineering.