Kadeena Cox admitted that her Paris 2024 disappointment feels like 'a nightmare' that she can't wake up from.

The 33-year-old crashed out on the first corner of the C4-5 500m time trial on the opening night in the velodrome to put her title defence hopes in tatters.

There were highly emotional scenes inside the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines National Velodrome as Cox broke down in tears and with gold in the event at both Rio and Tokyo, Cox noted that Paris is the nightmare she never wanted to happen.

She said: "The last two Paralympics, I've woken up laid next to a medal, grateful it wasn't a dream. Today feels like a nightmare I can't wake up from."

It has been a difficult few years for Cox, who couldn’t walk this time last year after a serious relapse of MS affected her right side, whilst also struggling with an eating disorder.

On a notes page entitled 'Paralympic failure' which she posted to social media the day after the event; Cox walked through her feelings from the first night in the Velodrome.

"It's hard to put into words how I feel," she added. "After everything I've battled to come back from this last year I thought this moment was going to make it worth it.

"All I thought about when I was pushing to try get the strength back to walk let alone run/cycle last year was being able to get out there and prove grit and determination can help you achieve anything.

"But yesterday I learnt a hard lesson that sometimes it just doesn't happen, whether you think you deserve it or not."

Cox will return to the velodrome for the C1-5 team sprint for GB on Sunday after it was confirmed she did not pick up any injuries during the crash.

And with the image of a phoenix drawn on her race shoes, Cox admitted that she's ready to rise from the ashes and turn six Paralympic medals into seven.

"Sport can be cruel, MS can be cruel, living with an eating disorder can be cruel but I'm telling myself what I'd tell the riders on my academy - true strength is seen in how you bounce back against all adversity,” said Cox, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games. 

"In how you keep showing up even when you want to hide away.

"And in how you pick yourself up, straighten your crown and fight to show the world what you are capable of."

National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for Good Causes including vital funding into sport – from grassroots to elite. To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk