Kadeena Cox has had her UK Sport funding suspended whilst she participates in Channel 4’s programme The Jump.
Cox, who won gold medals in both cycling and athletics at the Rio Paralympics, will be joining Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones, newly retired cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins and Rio silver medal-winning gymnast Louis Smith on the show.
In a statement, British Athletics confirmed that because of “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.”
The decision to cut funding to Cox has also been supported by British Cycling and it is understood that medical teams from both organisations have advised Cox against participating in the show.
Several celebrities in recent years have sustained injuries. Former Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington was the first to leave the show last year after landing incorrectly and dislocating her shoulder.
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle required surgery to fuse vertebrae that she fractured after hitting a barrier during practice. Holby City actress Tina Hobley dislocated her elbow when she was forced to swerve when the TV show’s crew failed to vacate the landing area.
Whilst the Paralympic champion does not have a major cycling event in 2017, she is expected to participate in the Para Athletics World Championships this July, which will take place in London.
Cox, 25, has multiple sclerosis after a stroke in May 2014.
