19-year old British swimmer Tully Kearney, who won 4 World titles in a breakout 2015 season, has withdrawn from the 2016 Paralympic Games with an injury.
Kearney has been battling the ongoing shoulder injury for the past 6 months, but was granted medical dispensation to swim on the British team in Rio despite being hampered for most of the year. With two weeks to go, she’s decided to pull out of the Games.
“I have been battling a recent progression in my condition and this, coupled with ongoing shoulder injury over the past six months, has massively affected my ability to train this season. I have fought really hard to find a way back from this and know that I did everything in my power to get to Rio, but it just wasn’t to be. ”
Kearney will not be replaced on Great Britain’s roster. Her loss is a huge blow to the chances of Britain to carry their 34 points medley relay that won the World Championship last year through to Rio.
Kearney won World Championships last year in the 100 fly, 400 free, and 200 IM in the S10 class in Glasgow last year, and added a silver medal in the 100 back and bronze in the 400 free relay.
In 2013, she had her first major international podium with a bronze in the 400 free, though she was then classified as an S10.
“Obviously, I hope that there will be a way for me to continue to compete in the sport I love so much next season and beyond. I would like to wish the team all the best for Rio and thank the staff from British Para Swimming and the (English Institute of Sport) for their support.”
“We all share in Tully’s disappointment in this news,” National Performance Director for British Para-Swimming Chris Furber said. “As a team we worked closely with Tully to ensure she had the right support and as much time as possible.
“Our whole medical and coaching team has and will continue to provide the best support possible for Tully. We all wish her a speedy return to competition.”
Tully has cerebral palsy and generalized dystonia, impacting her lower limbs and the left side of her body.
Can you believe what Louie Stevens did in his 400 IM?