Team GB snowboard athlete Katie Ormerod has been ruled out of the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games following a severe fracture to her right heel bone.

The 20-year-old from Brighouse was due to compete in snowboard slopestyle and snowboard big air and will undergo emergency surgery in the morning.

Mike Hay, Team GB Chef de Mission said: “We are deeply sorry for Katie and her fellow snowboarders who have lost a valued member of their close-knit team. She is a world class competitor across both disciplines and we are desperately disappointed for her.  From everyone at Team GB we wish her all the best for her recovery.”

Dan Hunt, British Ski and Snowboard Performance Director said: “We are all devastated for Katie who was in strong form coming into the Olympics.  She is a talented athlete and wonderful role model. 

"At a young age she has already achieved highly within the sport, most recently with gold at the World Cup in Russia last year.  Her determined and fearless nature will see her come back from this and reach the exciting potential and future that is ahead of her.

"We wish her all the best and with four park and pipe snowboarders competing, her team mates will now be giving their all for her as well as their nation over these Games.”