24 Feb 2016

Broken arm jeopardises Walker's Olympic bid

6:18 pm on 24 February 2016

London Olympic BMX silver medallist Sarah Walker suffered a double fracture of her arm after falling off her bike during a training session in Cambridge today, putting her Rio Olympic dream in jeopardy.

BMX star Sarah Walker

BMX star Sarah Walker Photo: PHOTOSPORT

She has received treatment at Waikato Hospital.

Cycling New Zealand high performance director Mark Elliott said they will await further medical advice before looking at her path to recovery and future steps towards Rio.

Walker, who won the Oceania title recently over world number four Caroline Buchanan, was preparing for the early season UCI Supercross World Cup competitions in Argentina next month and Manchester in May.

"It's a real blow for Sarah who has been in outstanding form in training. We will know more in the coming weeks and will continue working with Sarah on her plans going forward," said Elliott.

"It's likely that she will need to re-focus towards the world championships in May as her gateway to Rio."

Walker spent much of last year out of action recovering from a fractured wrist and serious concussion as the result of a crash in California in late 2014.

She returned in the middle of last year to win a bronze medal in the Time Trial at the world championships.

-RNZ