"Former British Olympic Hopeful Retires at 32 Following Devastating Crash That Shattered Her Identity"

FORMER British cyclist Vicky Williamson has retired 10 years after a crash almost paralysed her.

Williamson, 32, was on course to be part of at the in 2016 .

Vicky Williamson has retired from competitive sportCredit: instagram @vicswilliamson The 32-year-old was on track for a place at Rio 2016 but suffered a life-changing accidentCredit: Getty She has since recovered to compete at World Cups in two different sportsCredit: instagram @vicswilliamson

She broke her neck, back, and pelvis but recovered to compete at the World Cup in two DIFFERENT SPORTS.

First, just over three years after the incident that left Williamson lucky to be able to move, she was back to cycling again.

Then, after missing out on the team, it was over to bobsleigh.

After training and being offered a season she did compete internationally but felt the draw of cycling and returned back to push for Paris 2024 and her dream.

Williamson didn’t make it and was also unable to get into the as a bobsledder.

Now, having turned her attention to teaching Reformer Pilates and working as a fitness coach, Williamson has called time on her professional competing days.

She told the BBC: “It’s been a lot to take in – those that have been in my position know when it’s time to switch career, there’s a lot of emotions.

“There’s loss of identity – who am I without my sport, [when] that’s what everyone knows me as?

Williamson is now a pilates and fitness instructorCredit: instagram @vicswilliamson She changed career paths to try and make the Winter Olympics as a bobsledder but was drawn back to the velodromeCredit: instagram @vicswilliamson

“What do I actually want to do now that I don’t do sport, when you’ve done one thing for such a long time?”

But, having overcome more than enough challenges for a lifetime, Williamson continues to inspire.

She had five screws put in her back in 2016 to keep it in one piece after things came crashing down at an event in Rotterdam.

Williamson explained: “I remember it quite vividly although I don’t remember the exact crash – that was wiped from memory.

“Now it’s 10 years on, so it’s a good time for me to reflect back on the highs and lows of everything I went through.

“It was a journey, with definite low points, from when I realised that the Rio Olympics was no longer on the cards.

“And then great highs as I made my way back into sport, and achieving things I never thought were going to be possible again.”

Williamson added: “Any athletes that have been injured will understand; it’s your identity, it’s taken away from you, and in the blink of an eye anything can change.

“Obviously my accident was particularly bad and was life-changing.

“I can look back and be proud of everything that I’ve overcome, but it’s been difficult.”

Her switch to bobsleigh came as part of a search to find meaning.

She reflected: “I always knew I wanted to get back on the bike.

“When that’s no longer there it’s like: ‘Who am I now and where do I want to take my life, given that strict one goal has now gone?'”

She finished: “I’m in a place now where it marked 10 years and I thought it was the perfect time to close that chapter and for me to announce the next chapter of my life.”