Athlete Jade Johnson has said that appearing on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009 has ultimately cost her a place in the British Olympics team. Speaking to the Mirror the long-jumper - who dropped out midway through the series after damaging a knee ligament - revealed that the injury once again flared up while she was training for Team GB. "Strictly has cost me my place in the Olympics," Jade said. "I thought the show injury had healed and I was ready to compete. "Sadly it flared up just before the trials and made it impossible to get through them." "London 2012 was my dream," she added. "The last two Olympics, I came sixth and seventh. "But this time I thought I'm going to be 32, the perfect prime for a long jumper. I have this experience and it's a home. I really thought I had a chance of doing well." However the athlete said that the injury once again reared its head at the trials in Birmingham last month, calling the pain 'indescribable'. "I hadn't competed recently because of a back injury and adrenalin fatigue," said Jade, who has spent the past two years training for the Olympics. "So the fact my knee hadn’t healed completely only came to light when I pushed myself harder. I couldn't believe it. I didn't speak to anyone for two weeks – I couldn’t face it." However Jade - who will instead be commentating on the women's athletics - added that she did not regret her participation in the show. "Strictly took me out of my comfort zone and taught me what I was capable of," she said. "When I am 80 I will look back on turning from a girl to a woman on Strictly. I loved the clothes and make-up."
