Performance Rehabilitation: Supporting GB’s Winter Olympians
“They did an amazing job getting me back on the snow so quickly.”
Olympic champion Charlotte Bankes provided one of the highlights of the Games in Milano Cortina when she raced to GB’s first ever gold on the snow, winning the snowboard slopestyle mixed team event alongside Huw Nightingale. However, her participation at the Games was uncertain throughout 2025, after she sustained a broken collarbone and underwent two surgeries.
Following two stints at the Intensive Rehabilitation Unit (IRU) at Bisham Abbey, Charlotte spoke highly of the UKSI’s Performance Rehabilitation team in an interview ahead of the Games:
“It was intense, but we focused on me as an athlete and my whole body, not just the injury I had.
“Being able to tap into the team’s knowledge and utilise their full support to get me healthy and back on snow was great,” she said.
Charlotte, who also gave a shout out to Bisham in an interview with the BBC after winning, was one of nine athletes supported by the Performance Rehabilitation team ahead of the Winter Olympics, highlighting the crucial role the team play in helping athletes get to the start line.
Callum Repper, UKSI Clinical Lead – Performance Rehabilitation, shared his reflections: “I’m incredibly proud of all the support that the multi-disciplinary Performance Rehabilitation Team has provided to winter sports over this cycle.
“The team have had to flex its services to problem-solve the complex challenges of supporting athletes based overseas and the unique demands of winter sports.”
Athletes supported by the Performance Rehabilitation team during this winter cycle who made it to the Milano Cortina Games:
Brad Hall – Bobsleigh
Greg Cackett – Bobsleigh
Taylor Lawrence – Bobsleigh
Edward Appleby – Ice Skating
Kristen Spours – Ice Skating
James Hernandez – Ice Skating
Charlotte Bankes – Snowboarding
Maisie Hill – Snowboarding
Ellia Smeding – Speed Skating
Before the Games, Bobsleigh athlete Greg Cackett shared the impact of his IRU experience: “The team saved my career. In 2023, I had a grade 4c hamstring tendon rupture, which can be career-ending, but the team sorted me out.
“They levelled me mentally and got me set physically – they could not have done more.”
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For many athletes recovering from serious injury, simply making it to the Games can feel like winning a medal before the competition even begins.
Callum was out in Milan, supporting Team GB, and reflected on seeing the athletes his team had worked with competing at the Games: “There are so many amazing stories, and it’s been great to reflect on how far these athletes have come while overcoming challenges to be at the Winter Olympics.
“It was incredibly rewarding to be out in Milan, seeing some of the athletes who have worked with our team compete – they have all been thankful for the support they received.
“I was lucky enough to be at the side of the ice when Ellia Smeding had the crowd roaring behind her in Long Track Speed Skating, and when Ed Appleby and Kristen Spours captivated the crowd in figure skating – their resilience is inspiring.”
Learn more about the work of the UKSI Performance Rehabilitation team: https://uksportsinstitute.co.uk/service/performance-rehabilitation/