Heather Mills has withdrawn from contention to ski at the 2014 Winter Paralympic Games in Sochi after an issue with her adaptive equipment.
The 45-year-old former wife of Beatle Sir Paul McCartney had demonstrated potential as a member of the British Disabled Ski Team, but has now opted to skip the Games, which take place next March after being informed by the International Paralympic Committee that her equipment should be altered.
A joint statement from the BDST and British Paralympic Association read: “On Monday, December 16, the British Disabled Ski Team (BDST) were informed by IPC Skiing that there was an issue with the adaptive equipment that Heather Mills was using that needed to be addressed before she would be allowed to compete.
“As a result of this and on the back of an injury, Heather Mills has decided to resign from BDST, thereby removing herself from the selection process for the Sochi Paralympic Games.
“Occasionally in sport equipment issues arise, especially with adaptive equipment and the interpretation of the rules in relation to its use.
“Therefore, we are all saddened that she has decided to retire at this stage, rather than working with BDST and IPC Skiing to resolve the issue.
“Heather has shown determination and made great progress over the past few months and is to be commended for the success she’s had in her skiing career.”
All equipment must be approved for use by the IPC and Mills’ ski boot was not.
The IPC said in a statement: “On Monday (December 16) it was noticed that the boot she is competing on is different to the one formally approved by the IPC Alpine Skiing Sport Technical Committee in July.
“As a result she was informed that she could not compete with the modified unapproved boot and that failure to revert back to the approved adaptive equipment would result in her disqualification.”