The news is a big blow to the 34-year-old from Manchester who just last week helped Britain to gold at a World Cup event in Cali, Colombia.

But Storey, who won two cycling gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in the time trial and individual pursuit, said the news that she no longer figured in Team GB's London 2012 Olympic plans was broken to her before she had even had a chance to get home and unpack her bags following her success in South America.

"I collected my bags in Manchester and before heading home, was told my performance in Cali was not as good as they [the selectors] were looking for," said Storey.

"So this is the end of the journey for me with the Great Britain team pursuit team."

Storey, who was born without a left hand, won five Paralympic swimming gold medals before switching to cycling where she claimed two more Paralympic titles at Beijing 2008.

Her ambition was to compete at both the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics but after being dropped from the women's team pursuit squad, she stated that she will now concentrate all her energies on success at the Paralympic Games next year, where she could possibly compete in five cycling events.


"I have always said that London 2012 is about riding as many events as I am good enough for and so now it is important for me to concentrate on the other events I have at the Games," she said.

"Selection for the Paralympic Games will be made on June 20 [2012], so my priorities don't really change a great deal as I have to concentrate on trying to get selected for and defend the two gold medals I won in Beijing.

"I always said the Team Pursuit was another opportunity to become the best athlete I could be and it would be a bonus if I was able to make the event work alongside the events in which I am Para-cycling World Champion.

"As with any team event the squad has to work to get the fastest three riders on the start line in the Olympic final and in the eyes of the selectors I am not able to contribute to this process any longer."

Storey is on the London 2012 Paralympic long list for the mixed team sprint event and will potentially look at this event as a complimentary team event in addition to the four individual events she is attempting to make selection for.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
September 2011: Storey leads charge for Britain as team leave Para-Cycling Road World Championships with ten medals
August 2011: Exclusive - Storey backs top Paralympic stars competing in Olympic competition
August 2011: Storey will lead the challenge for Britain at World Championships
March 2011: Storey's double gold helps Brits top Para-Cycling Track World Championships
February 2011: Storey leads strong British line up for UCI Para-Cycling Track World Championships