The two-time Olympic champion Katie Archibald will miss Paris 2024 after suffering a double leg break in a freak accident. The 30-year-old Scottish cyclist fractured a tibia and fibula, and dislocated an ankle, tripping over a garden step. She also sustained substantial ligament damage during the incident on Tuesday and has since undergone surgery.
Archibald was a strong contender for gold in three disciplines: omnium, madison and team pursuit. The injury means a reshuffle for Team GB’s track lineup and the team pursuit squad when the Olympics get underway next month.
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She confirmed on Thursday afternoon via Instagram the injury would prevent her from racing at her third Games. “I tripped over a step in the garden and managed to, somehow, dislocate my ankle; break my tibia and fibula; and rip two ligaments off the bone. What the heck,” she posted alongside a picture of her in a hospital bed.
“Had surgery yesterday to pin the bones back together and reattach the ligaments. Then hopefully this afternoon I’ll be going home.
“A hundred apologies for what this means for the Olympic team, which I’ve been told won’t involve me. I’m still processing that bit of news, but thought I better confirm it publicly instead of leaving it to the grapevine (trip hazard and all that).
“A hundred thank yous for the fabulous doctors, nurses, radiographers, porters, physios, surgeons and more at the Manchester Royal Infirmary. Might be back with more updates, might be gone from the socials for a bit - TBC. Ciao for now. Katie x”
Archibald came to prominence at the 2013 European Track Cycling Championships where, alongside Laura Kenny, Dani King and Elinor Barker, she won the gold medal and broke the world record twice in the team pursuit. Her 20 gold medals in European elite track championships is an all-time record. She also won gold for Scotland in the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
She topped the podium in the madison alongside Kenny at the Tokyo Olympics and won the team pursuit gold at the 2016 Games but has endured a horrendous past couple of years.
She missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after colliding with a vehicle. In the same year, she fractured her spine and then broke her collarbone in a crash at the UCI Track Nations Cup, while her partner, the mountain biker Rab Wardell, died suddenly that summer aged 37.
British Cycling described the news as “heartbreaking” in a statement. “Earlier this week, Katie Archibald had an accident at home which has resulted in a broken ankle which she has since had surgery on,” said the governing body. “Following medical advice, this unfortunately means that Katie will be unable to compete at the upcoming Olympic Games.
“We share in Katie’s heartbreak over her injury, and the cruel manner in which she has been denied the chance to ride for the medals she so coveted in Paris.
“Our focus is now on providing Katie with the best possible support as she begins her recovery, and we know that the whole cycling community will be right behind her for every step.”
