Katie Archibald's partner Rab Wardell dies in bed beside her

Olympian Katie Archibald said she tried to save her partner Rab Wardell as he suffered a fatal cardiac arrest in bed beside her.

The champion cyclist expressed her devastation after Wardell, a mountain biker, died aged 37 on Tuesday morning. His death came two days after he won the Scottish MTB XC Championships in Dumfries and Galloway.

28 year-old Archibald made an emotional statement in a social media post on Wednesday morning.

She tweeted: "I think you've heard that Rab died yesterday morning.

"I still don't understand what's happened; if this is real; why he'd be taken now – so healthy and happy.

"He went into cardiac arrest while we were lying in bed. I tried and tried, and the paramedics arrived within minutes, but his heart stopped and they couldn't bring him back."

Archibald, who won track cycling gold medals at Tokyo 2020 and Rio 2016, added: "Mine stopped with it. I love him so much and need him here with me. I need him here so badly, but he's gone. I can't describe this pain."

The four-time world champion went on to thank everyone who had paid tributes.

They include Sir Chris Hoy.

Her Twitter thread ended with: "I can't bear to talk about him in the past tense to say anything myself. You mean everything to me, Rab. I love you."

The Scottish Cross Country Association, which runs the mountain bike race series, said Wardell's death was the "saddest news".

A statement on the association's Facebook page read: "Our deepest sympathy to his friends, family and loved ones.

"He will be truly missed by our community and his determination, talent and friendship will live on in all our hearts and memories.

"I'm sure more eloquent words will be written by many but RIP Rab. Our Champion, Our Inspiration, Our Friend."

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