In a video statement on YouTube, the model and former wife of Beatle Sir Paul McCartney claims to explain why she is being disqualified from competing at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics because of a change of boot following an injury.

"I have spent the last three years trying really hard to ski for Great Britain and get to Sochi as most skiers' dreams would be," Mills explains.

"I suffered a smashed scapula, I lost my ACL, I snapped my ankle, I had numerous bleeding and blistering and blood haematomas all over my stump and I did everything I possibly could.

"Eventually I got a wildcard to go to New Zealand and managed to win Britain a silver slalom medal.

"While I was there, I was told by my coach and Markus Walser, the head technical IPC guy, that my leg was completely fine and it didn't pose any problem."

Heather Mills has claimed that an IPC official had told her that her leg was "completely fine" ©Getty Images


However, Mills said she subsequently received a phone call from coach Tony McAllister to inform her that she had been disqualified, which, she claims, was a decision made "from a distance" without a proper inspection.

The IPC denies Mills was ever given permission to compete on the device.

A row then erupted with Alpine Skiing Sport Technical Committee head Sylvana Mestre and although Mills admits to putting her hand on her shoulder the athlete has hit back at "tabloid rubbish" that claims she attacked the official and insisted she had it in for her.

"No matter what I did in the three years I tried for Britain, Sylvana Mestre had it in for me and wanted me out," she said.

The IPC rejected the claims against Mestre and added that she is "one of the most highly respected officials by athletes".

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]




Related stories
December 2013: Disciplinary action threatened by IPC as Mills skiing row escalates
December 2013: Mills abandons Paralympics dream after injury-induced equipment row with IPC