Olympic cycling champion Archibald will not take part in the 2024 races in Paris after bizarre accident

“I tripped on a step in the garden and somehow managed to dislocate my ankle, break my tibia and fibula and tear two ligaments from my bone,” she posted on Instagram on Thursday alongside a photo of herself in a hospital bed.

“Whatever. I had an operation yesterday (Wednesday) to put the bones back together and reattach the ligaments. Then hopefully I can go home this afternoon.

“One hundred apologies for the significance this has for the Olympic team and I have been told I will not be participating.

“I’m still processing this news but I thought it would be better to confirm it publicly rather than leave it to the rumour mill (risk of tripping),” added Archibald, who thanked staff at Manchester Royal Infirmary for her treatment.

Archibald was aiming to compete in the team pursuit, madison and omnium at next month’s Games. The British cycling squad is due to be announced on Monday.

In a statement, British Cycling regretted Archibald’s absence at Paris 2024.

“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 craved in Paris,” it said.

“Our focus now is on providing Katie with the best possible support during her recovery and we know that the entire cycling community will support her every step of the way.”

Archibald, who won gold in the team pursuit in Rio 2016 and then stood on the top podium in the Madison at Tokyo 2020 alongside the now-retired Laura Kenny, has had a sad few years.

She missed the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after a collision with a car – one of several injuries – while her partner, mountain biker Rab Wardell, died suddenly the same year at the age of 37.

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