Kadeena Cox has UK Sport funding suspended for taking part in The Jump – The Guardian

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 golds in the C4-5 women’s cycling time trial and on the track in the T38 400m sprint, will join the Olympic taekwondo champion Jade Jones, the Olympic silver medal-winning gymnast Louis Smith, and the former cyclist Bradley Wiggins. The celebrity television show has faced criticism in the past after a number of participants including the retired gymnast Beth Tweddle, former sprinter Linford Christie and the retired swimmer Rebecca Adlington suffered injuries.

British Athletics has decided to withdraw Cox’s funding for the duration of the show after receiving backing from British Cycling. 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 on her calendar 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.

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. British Cycling added that they respected her decision.

“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 they had held “extensive” talks with Jones over her involvement in the show and though they said they understood her decision to take part they maintained they “had reservations”. Jones, however, will still receive her full UK funding.

“She has made an informed decision to take part in the show,” said a GB Taekwondo spokesperson. “[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 suffered 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.