Australian diver Taneka Kovchenko has been forced to retire from the sport, just days before the start of the Commonwealth Games.
Kovchenko has been experiencing headaches and neck pain since late last year.
Scans revealed her C-1 and C-2 vertebrae have compressed her spinal cord.
Kovchenko's doctor and neurologist warned she could become a quadriplegic if a dive went wrong.
"This was a super scary moment," Kovchenko said in a statement on Instagram.
"I thought of every scenario to try and continue diving till at least the end of this season however the risks highly outweighed the options of continuing to dive and sadly [I] had to make the heart breaking decision to stop diving."
"I have had an amazing 14 years diving chasing my dream of representing Australia."
"I am grateful for every experience and opportunity I have been given."
"I am leaving the sport as an athlete proud of my accomplishments and with so many life skills."
Kovchenko had been due to compete in the 10 metre individual event and the 10 metre synchronised platform events at the Commonwealth Games.
She has been replaced by Teju Williamson in the 10 metre individual event but a decision is yet to be made on who will partner Melissa Wu in the 10 metre synchronised platform.
Wu paid tribute to her diving partner and said she would miss Kovchenko on the platform.
"I'm so proud of you and everything you've achieved," Wu said.
"This is only the beginning of what you will continue to achieve in life. Thanks for being such a great team-mate and for always inspiring me to get the best out of myself."
