The 63-year-old athlete, who also won two silver medals at the Arnhem 1980 Summer Paralympics in fencing, was told he was not fit enough to travel and train in the lead up the Games in Russia, which would have been his fifth Paralympics.

He will be replaced by Jim Gault, who competed for Scotland at the 2012 World Championships in the South Korean city of Chuncheon - where the team finished eighth - and has been part of the British squad for the last four years.

Tony Zummack, head coach of the wheelchair curling team, said Killin is "incredibly disappointed" at not being in a position to compete at Sochi 2014.

The British Paralympic team's Chef de Mission, Penny Briscoe, added: "We are very disappointed for Tom that his opportunity to compete in Sochi has gone at this late stage.

"We all wish him a speedy recovery and knowing that he'll be cheering us on will, I'm sure, spur the team on.

"Jim is a really fantastic replacement and we're delighted to be welcoming him onto the team."

Gault also said he was "really upset" for Killin but is excited about the prospect of travelling to Sochi for the Games.

"I've trained and competed alongside Tom as teammates for several years so I know how hard we all trained and how much he wanted to represent ParalympicsGB once more so of course I am really upset for Tom," he said.

"At the same time, I have just been given an amazing opportunity to represent my country on the biggest stage in disability sport and of course I am looking forward to it.

"I just want do my very best for the team and put in some great performances on the ice."

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