Paralympian Kadeena Cox has "had her UK Sport funding suspended while she takes part in 'The Jump'" -- despite Olympic counterpart Jade Jones "retaining" hers during the program, according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. Athlete and cyclist Cox, who last summer became the first Briton to win Paralympic Gold in two sports at the same Games since '84, saw her £28,000 ($34,500)-a-year "exchequer and National Lottery support withdrawn" following her decision to compete in the Channel 4 series. The 25-year-old multiple sclerosis sufferer was "advised against doing so by the medical teams" of both British Athletics and British Cycling amid "safety concerns" about a show in which celebrities compete in winter sports, such as ski-jumping, bobsleigh and speed skating. GB Taekwondo earlier revealed it "had reservations" about the participation of London and Rio Gold Medalist Jones but "decided not to suspend her funding." The Jump, scheduled to air for six weeks from Feb. 5, will also feature four-time Olympic medalist Louis Smith, who "already earns too much outside sport to qualify for funding" (TELEGRAPH, 1/4). The BBC reported UK Sport said the participation of funded athletes in the show was "a matter for the individual sports concerned." Cox does not have a major cycling event this year but she "would be expected to take part" in the Para Athletics World Championships in London in July. Both organizations "wished Cox well" and said they "look forward to her return after the show" (BBC, 1/4).
