Katie Archibald 's Commonwealth Games is in doubt after the cycling star was hit by a car less than two months before Birmingham hosts the showpiece sports event.
Two-time Olympic gold medal-winner Archibald impressed at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, where she won gold in the individual pursuit and silver in the points race. But significant ligament damage in both her ankles means the 28-year-old may not be fit in time to compete in this year's competition, which gets underway on July 28.
"Last Sunday I went flying over the bonnet of a 4x4," Archibald wrote to her 25,000 Instagram followers. "Can't say I'm loving 2022. Lovely clear day but the driver who turned into me while I was riding past a T junction didn't see me.
"The ligaments in both my ankles aren't happy (grade 1 unhappiness in my right ankle and grade 2 unhappiness in my left) but are all still attached, and the only thing broken is my bike."
Archibald was eager to focus on the positives and said 'celebrations were in order' after she avoided "another serious concussion" or damage to an already vulnerable knee. These latest injuries come barely one month after she broke her collarbone and suffered a concussion at a World Cup event in Glasgow.
"Life is long. That's my update," Archibald signed off. "Promise we'll be back to Good News the next time I post; these ones are getting boring."
'The Blushing Bull' will hope said update arrives in time for this summer's Games. She was in the saddle a fortnight after her injuries in Glasgow, but an accumulation of knocks may make this comeback more taxing.
It was just last year Archibald helped Team GB win World Championships gold in the Omnium, as well as silver in the points race and bronze in each of the team pursuit and the madison. The Olympian hit out at the UCI in April for its handling of Emily Bridges' case in attempting to compete legally as a woman after transitioning.
One of the most decorated British cyclists, Archibald would be a substantial absence in regards to Scotland's medal hopes should she be forced to sit out in Birmingham. Cycling fans will, however, be glad at the fact she came away from the incident with her long-term prospects intact.
