Alice Tai: British Para-swimmer has right leg amputated
- Published
Tai won Paralympic gold in 2016 and seven World Championship gold medals in 2019
Britain's Paralympic and world gold medallist Alice Tai has had her right leg amputated from below the knee.
The 22-year-old was born with club feet and had multiple operations as a youngster but said she has been gradually experiencing increasing pain and discomfort.
She said she considered having her right leg amputated back in 2012.
"Over the last few years, the pain in my right foot has worsened," said Tai.
"Last year I realised I was wasting time. If a better quality life was possible, what was I waiting for?
"I feel great and the pain is minimal. The medical team who have been involved since the surgery are incredibly optimistic about my recovery. As am I."
Tai said she knew in 2012 that no further surgeries could improve the pain she felt in her right foot but medical advisers said amputation should be delayed until she stopped growing.
Since then, her achievements in the pool have included gold in the 4x100m medley at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, as well as seven World Championship gold medals in 2019.
Tai, who became an MBE in 2017, was one of Britain's major medal hopes for the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021 but withdrew from the Games with an elbow injury.
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