Browne, silver medallist in the 100 metres T44, one of the headline athletics events at the Paralympics, informed U.S Paralympics of the reason behind his decision in an email, according to BBC Sport.

The 24-year-old is one of the household names in Paralympic sport and his withdrawal provides a blow to America’s medal prospects at Rio 2016 as well as the event as a whole.

Browne was unable to compete at last weekend’s U.S Paralympic Trials in Charlotte because of a hamstring injury but was still available for selection on the American team.

He was named on the US team for September’s Paralympics in the Brazilian city in January but has suffered a torrid year with injuries and was involved in a car crash in the New Year.

Browne, a gold medallist in the 100 and 200m events at the 2015 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Doha in world record times of 10.61 and 21.27sec respectively, spent two nights in hospital following the crash.

The American suffered broken ribs and a heavy concussion when a lorry, which had failed to stop at a red light, collided with his car in Florida.

His manager Ian Byers had insisted when announcing the news that the injuries he sustained in the incident would not affect his preparations for Rio 2016, where he was expected to go head to head with defending Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock of Britain in the 100m T44 race.

The news marks the latest cruel blow to Browne’s athletic career.

Brown harboured hopes of becoming a professional American football player until a freak accident while running in 2009 forced the eventual amputation of the lower part of his right leg.

He underwent 13 surgeries in an attempt to fix the injury before he decided to have the affected area amputated.