Katie Archibald to forgo Olympics after “crazy gardening accident”

British cyclist Katie Archibald, a double gold medallist at the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, will miss the Games in Paris next month after suffering a serious leg injury in a bizarre accident.

The 30-year-old suffered a fracture of two bones in her leg and a torn ligament after tripping over a step in her garden.

On Thursday, Archibald shared on Instagram that she had undergone surgery the day before to repair the damage.

Crazy accident in her garden

“I tripped on a step in the garden and somehow dislocated my ankle, broke my tibia and fibula and tore two ligaments from the bone. What the heck,” Archibald posted on Instagram. “That was on Tuesday and I’ve been in full princess mode ever since. I had surgery yesterday to put the bones back together and reattach the ligaments. Hopefully I can go home this afternoon.”

Archibald had been preparing to compete in the team pursuit, madison and omnium at the Paris Games. She won gold in the women’s team pursuit at Rio 2016 and then took silver in the same event and gold in the madison at Tokyo 2020.

Gratitude to the medical team

Archibald expressed his gratitude, saying: “A hundred thanks to the amazing doctors, nurses, radiographers, porters, physiotherapists, surgeons and everyone else at Manchester Royal Infirmary. And a hundred apologies for what this means for the Olympic team, which I have been told I will not be a part of. I am still processing this news but I thought I should confirm it publicly rather than leaving it to the rumour mill.”
In a statement, British Cycling expressed its sadness at Archibald’s injury and the unfortunate timing.

“We share Katie’s grief over her injury and the cruel way in which she was denied the chance to compete for the medals she so desperately wanted in Paris. Our focus now is on supporting Katie as best as possible in her recovery and we know that the entire cycling community will support her every step of the way.”

Archibald, who rides for the Women’s WorldTour team, CERATIZIT-WNT Pro Cycling TeamShe did not say how long she will be off the bike.

The 2024 Olympic Games in Paris will begin on July 26 and last until August 11.