Rio 2016 bronze medallist, Melissa Reid, has withdrawn from representing Team England at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Reid, who would have competed alongside guide Grace France, will no longer race in Birmingham this summer and has at the same time announced her retirement from competitive paratriathlon.
Making the announcement, she said: “After suffering a back injury just before Tokyo, treatment took a lot longer than desired, I am not where I’d like to be to represent England to my best.
“This decision has taken months of weighing up the pros and cons. I am choosing to put my physical and mental health over finishing my career off with the only race I have yet to compete in. I know I will never get this opportunity again but it’s time to close the door to triathlon for now and open another one.”
Jonathon Riall, Team Leader for Triathlon and Paratriathlon, commented: “It’s always sad when an athlete has to withdraw from representing their country, however having spoken with Melissa it is a decision I support for her personally.
“As well as competing and being successful at the highest levels of paratriathlon, she is also a partially sighted surfing world champion. Withdrawing from Birmingham and retiring from the sport allows her to focus on surfing and other interests and we wish her all the best in these.”
