Ridley's medal hopes dashed

British wheelchair racer Jenny Ridley has spoken out over her decision not to compete in Athens this weekend.

The 20-year-old pulled out after failing to change a re-classification which left her medal dream in tatters.

Last week, the potential double gold medallist in the T52 class was brought up to the T53 category, which is for less disabled athletes.

Ridley said: "At the start I was upset, now I'm angry. It's like I'm being penalised for working hard."

The 20-year-old from Burton-upon-Trent said she had no choice but to withdraw.

I didn't come to watch - I came to race Jenny Ridley

"I've gone through every emotion possible this week."

As the deadline for confirming entries in the T53 events approached, she decided the disadvantage was too great.

Last week the British team protested Ridley's re-classification but without success.

This protest reached the level of the Board of Appeal of Classification but was again rejected and further action is on-going.

If Ridley, who was aiming for T52 400m and 200m gold, had agreed to her re-classification, she would have competed against team-mate Tanni Grey Thompson in the T53 400m final on Saturday.

And because there is no T53 200m, she would have to compete instead in the T54 200m - a jump of two categories. The heats for that get under way on Sunday.