SIR Chris Hoy believes the recent injury controversy over Katie Archibald will all be forgotten if she can bring back a gold medal from the Olympics in Rio. The 22-year-old cyclist from Milngavie ruptured a posterior cruciate ligament in her knee in December, initially claiming the incident occurred when she fell off her bike then clarifying in Herald Sport that the vehicle in question was in fact a motor bike which she was driving at 70mph in wet conditions through the Cheshire countryside. Her failure to recover in time saw her omitted from last week's world track championships in London and drew the ire of British cycling coach Shane Sutton, who described it as "a really bad choice on her part". Hoy, another self-confessed speed freak who is embarking on a second career in motor racing, believes Archibald can still be a 'kingpin' of the British team for Rio.
"I didn't hear that until recently but I suppose accidents happen," said Hoy, six times an Olympic gold medalist. "The important thing is to keep looking forwards not backwards, get herself fit so she is on the plane to Rio, and not just that, but going there as a kingpin of the team who can take the fight to the USA. You learn from experience and hindsight is a wonderful thing but everything will be forgotten if she can deliver and win a gold medal in Rio.
"Getting injured is incredibly frustrating and to miss a home world championships was always going to be tough," added Hoy. "But she is a central part of the team, a really important piece of the jigsaw. As long as she gets healthy, gets her knee back to full fitness, then she will be in Rio, I have no doubt."
Hoy is also backing Callum Skinner to return home from Rio as Scotland's next track cycling Olympic gold medalist. The 23-year-old from Glasgow should have the enviable assistance of Philip Hindes and Jason Kenny in the team sprint. "If they both get it right they are the fastest guys in the world to the start of the last lap," said Hoy. "I am not saying it is easy but if Callum can get on, recover and deliver a decent lap they will win the Team Sprint. He would thoroughly deserve to win a medal in Rio and has a very good chance of it."
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