Paralympics 2016: Swimmer Tully Kearney forced to pull out of games due to injury

The four-time world champion was selected in March on a medical dispensation as she has been managing an injury throughout 2016.

However, Kearney has not fully recovered and as a result has been left with no choice but to withdraw from the Paralympic Games, which get under way in Rio de Janeiro on September 7.

Tully enjoyed incredible success at the IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow last summer, taking home six medals including four golds.

Her gold in the S9 400m freestyle saw Tully set a new European record with a time of 4:39.29, more than 10 seconds ahead of the silver medallist.

She also set a European record in the S9 100m butterfly and the SM9 200m individual medley.

Kearney said: "I'm devastated not to be able to represent GB at the Paralympic Games in Rio.

"I have worked incredibly hard in training for many years to get to this point in my career and last year was fantastic for me – becoming four-times World Champion was more than I'd ever dreamt of.

"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.

"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 EIS for their support."

She suffers from the developmental co-ordination disorder dyspraxia, which causes muscle weakness.

Chris Furber, national performance director for British Para-Swimming, said: "We all share in Tully's disappointment in this news. 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."

British Swimming confirmed Kearney will not be replaced in the swimming team, which will be led by her fellow Aldridge athlete Ellie Simmonds.