Double world champion yachtsman Elliot Willis has lost his slot in Britain’s Rio Olympic sailing squad due to ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, TeamGB said yesterday.

The 32-year-old, who was diagnosed in December after becoming one of the first British athletes to qualify for the Games, had been due to compete in the 470 class with partner Luke Patience.

“Due to Elliot’s ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, as a two person crew, they are unfortunately unable to follow the combined training programme re-quired to maximise their chances of success in Rio,” TeamGB said.

Selection trials for the 470 – a 4.70 metre (15.4 ft) dinghy – will continue and Patience, who won silver in London 2012 with Stuart Bithell, said he aimed to re-qualify with new partner Chris Grube.

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