Kadeena Cox has had her British Athletics funding suspended ©Getty Images

Four-time Paralympic medallist Kadeena Cox has had her UK Sport funding suspended by British Athletics while she participates in Channel 4’s winter sport series The Jump due to the safety risks involved.

GB Taekwondo also have "reservations" about the participation of double Olympic champion Jade Jones, but have not stopped her funding.

Alongside Cox and Jones, gymnast Louis Smith, who has two silver and two bronze Olympic medals, is another British athlete who receives funding who is due to appear in the show.

UK Sport have left it up to the individual sport governing bodies to made decisions.

"Due to the nature of the activities on the show, the athlete cannot continue to be supported by the World Class Performance Programme (WCPP) during this time," British Athletics told the BBC.

"Her UK Sport funding will be suspended until she returns to training and proves her fitness."

The programme, which sees novice celebrities learn and then compete across several winter sports including ski jumping and bobsleigh, has courted controversy after several high-profile injuries were suffered by contestants.

Gymnast Beth Tweddle suffered two fractured vertebrae in her neck in last year’s series, while Beijing 2008 double Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington dislocated her shoulder.

The 2017 series is due to take place over six weeks, but the transmission date has not yet been announced.

Kadeena Cox won gold medals in athletics and cycling at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
Kadeena Cox won gold medals in athletics and cycling at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

Cox, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2014, claimed four Paralympic medals at Rio 2016, including golds in the 400 metres T38 athletics and the C4-5 time trial cycling.

British Cycling added: "Kadeena enjoyed a fantastic 2016, making history by winning Paralympic gold in both athletics and cycling, and we respect her decision to take some time away from the sport to pursue the opportunities that her success has afforded her."

GB Taekwondo, meanwhile, claimed to have held "extensive discussions" with the athlete before she made an "informed decision" to participate.

Jones, the winner of Britain's only two taekwondo Olympic gold medals at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, is due to participate in this year's World Championships taking place in Muju in South Korea in June.

"While we had our reservations, we understand Jade's desire to try new challenges and to take part in this show," the GB Taekwondo statement said.

"We have held extensive discussions with Jade and her management and she is aware of the risks involved.

"She has made an informed decision to take part in the show and has ensured that The Jump and its production company has all the requisite cover and medical provision is in place."

When asked by insidethegames whether they would suspend Smith's funding, British Gymnastics said they had "no comment" to make.

Sir Bradley Wiggins, the recently retired eight-time Olympic medallist and 2012 Tour de France champion, is among other entrants.

Louise Hazel, the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games heptathlon champion who finished second in the 2015 series after retiring from athletics, has expressed her "surprise" that current athletes are planning to compete.

"As an athlete you are always looking for the next thrill but I would advise them to withdraw," she told BBC Radio 5Live.

"For those athletes who have retired it is OK to take a risk, but for those still in sport this could easily turn into a career-ending injury.

"As a participant you know there is an element of risk, but there was a part of me seeking that out and it is a calculated risk. 

"he question is whether people know the full extent of the risk before signing up."