Olympic skeleton champion Lizzy Yarnold recuperating after 'successful' back operation

Yarnold won her second gold medal in the skeleton at PyeongChang 2018, with compatriot Laura Deas taking bronze.

The 29-year-old is now recovering at home ahead of the World Cup season, which gets underway in December, but is yet to set a date for her return.

"I had surgery on my spine to try and sort out some slipped discs in my back," she said. "Now felt like a good time to have it done, I couldn’t manage the pain any longer. I’m not feeling great right now but here’s hoping recovery will be speedy.

"I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone who is helping piece this slightly broken athlete’s body back together. The British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association and EIS team have been A* support wise. British Skeleton and UK Sport - you have been awesome."

In spite of her numerous successes on the ice, Yarnold has been beset with health issues throughout her career. She missed the 2015/16 season due to burnout and considered retiring from the sport after winning gold in South Korea due to a condition that affects her balance.

And British Skeleton performance director Andi Shmid acknowledged the need to avoid rushing a comeback.

"Lizzy has been managing the pain in her back for some time now and we were all of the same opinion that an operation was in the best interests of Lizzy’s health and wellbeing," he said.

"Skeleton is a demanding sport and the last Olympic cycle was a particularly intensive one in which Lizzy had to overcome a number of physical challenges.

"These challenges were managed very professionally by our support team and I know the same approach will be taken following her back operation.

"While we appreciate that there will be questions regarding Lizzy’s return to action, the most important thing right now is that she rests, recuperates and gets herself back to full health in her own time."