Kadeena Cox, the first British Paralympian to win gold medals in multiple disciplines at a single Games since 1984, has had her UK Sport funding suspended while she takes part in the Channel 4 television programme The Jump.
Cox, who won four medals in Rio including gold in the C4-5 women’s cycling time trial and on the track in the T38 400m sprint, will join the Olympic medal-winners Jade Jones, Louis Smith and Bradley Wiggins. The celebrity television show has faced criticism in the past after a number of participants including Beth Tweddle, Linford Christie and Rebecca Adlington sustained injuries.
A statement from British Athletics said: “Due to the nature of the activities on the show, the athlete cannot continue to be supported by the WCPP [world-class performance programme] during this time. Her UK Sport funding will be suspended until she returns to training and proves her fitness.”
Cox had a stroke in May 2014 and was subsequently diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. She does not yet have any major cycling events for 2017 as no Para-cycling Track World Championships have been officially confirmed. However, in July the Para Athletics World Championships are due to be staged in London.
Austria bound with these crazy kids @JakeQuickenden @Josiestweet exciting times ⛷❄️ #TheJump pic.twitter.com/4li97Kjkmt
— kadeena cox (@kad_c) January 3, 2017
Cox, 25, is believed to have been advised by medical teams from both British Athletics and British Cycling not to take part, but has been given leave to make her own call on whether she participates.
“Kadeena enjoyed a fantastic 2016, making history by winning Paralympic gold in both athletics and cycling, and we respect her decision to take some time away from the sport to pursue the opportunities that her success has afforded her,” said British Cycling.
On Tuesday, GB Taekwondo said it had held extensive talks with Jones over her involvement in the show and though the governing body said it understood her decision to take part it maintained it had reservations. Jones, however, will still receive her full UK funding.
“She has made an informed decision to take part in the show,” a GB Taekwondo spokesperson said. “[She] has ensured that The Jump and its production company has all the requisite cover and medical provision is in place.”
In previous series of the show Tweddle required surgery to a fractured vertebrae after being injured in training and Adlington sustained a shoulder injury. Christie pulled a hamstring while the former Holby City actress Tina Hobley sustained knee, shoulder and arm injuries that left her on crutches until shortly before Christmas last year.
Channel 4 has said there has been a thorough review of safety procedures before this year’s series.
