Team GB cyclist suspended

Neil Campbell will not be replaced in the British team

Track cyclist Neil Campbell has been withdrawn from the British Olympic team, and temporarily suspended from the national cycling federation, pending a series of urgent medical tests.

Campbell, who was a reserve for the Olympic pursuit and a probable entrant in the one kilometre Is the first British entrant to be withdrawn from the Games, after pre-Olympic screening.

If there is a medical problem which is serious for him we have to be concerned

  BCF track team boss Steve Paulding

BCF track team boss Steve Paulding expressed concern that the results could actually reveal a serious medical problem for Campbell.

"Obviously our first concern is for Neil," he told The Guardian. "If there is a medical problem which is serious for him we have to be concerned.

"We need the full facts to be available before we comment on anything else."

BCF chief medical officer Chris Jarvis revealed that although pre-tournament examinations are not compulsory, Campbell was probably subjected to tests.

"There are no specific instructions from the British Olympic Association that everyone has to be tested," he told The Guardian newspaper.

"It is assumed that everyone will be tested anyway during the run-up to the Games."

The 26-year-old rider won gold in the 4,000m team pursuit at this year's British Championships as well as a silver in the sprint and a bronze in the 1,000m time-trial.

No other British cyclist has met the sprint events selection criteria, so Campbell will not be replaced.