Jemma Simpson: I need a 'miracle' to reach Rio

The 31-year-old turned out for Team GB at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and has also raced at the Commonwealth Games but will now almost certainly miss the chance to race at Rio.

The 800m and 1500m runner, who has previously considered retirement, has snapped her posterior tibial tendon and knows the chance to compete at Olympic level again may have gone.

"I won't be able to run until at least April and then it's qualifying. It's a big ask," she said.

"This was going to be my last push to make a real go at the Olympics - there was a real opportunity to go to Rio.

"I'm not confident [of selection for the Olympics]. It would be a miracle to do that now because I have to run the qualifying time and be ready for the trials, which is in seven months, and I've got three months off.

"It's hard to take the decision in your mind to stop, without having a reason to stop. It's hard to explain but when you have something like this, it takes the decision out of your hands."