Great Britain's Tully Kearney has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro due to injury.

The four-time world champion has been struggling with injury throughout the year, but was given a medical dispensation in the hope that she would recover in time for the Games.

However, the 19-year-old will not be present in Rio as Team GB look to back up their record-breaking performance at the Olympics.

"I'm devastated not to be able to represent GB at the Paralympic Games in Rio. I have worked incredibly hard in training for many years to get to this point in my career and last year was fantastic for me – becoming four-time world champion was more than I'd ever dreamt of," Kearney said in a statement.

"I have been battling a recent progression in my condition and this, coupled with ongoing shoulder injury over the past six months, has massively affected my ability to train this season. I have fought really hard to find a way back from this and know that I did everything in my power to get to Rio, but it just wasn't to be.

"Obviously, I hope that there will be a way for me to continue to compete in the sport I love so much next season and beyond. I would like to wish the team all the best for Rio and thank the staff from British Para Swimming and the EIS for their support."

Chris Furber, national performance director for British Para-Swimming, added: "We all share in Tully's disappointment in this news. As a team we worked closely with Tully to ensure she had the right support and as much time as possible.

"Our whole medical and coaching team has and will continue to provide the best support possible for Tully. We all wish her a speedy return to competition."

Kearney will not be replaced in the swimming team ahead of the Games, which get underway on September 7.