Hucknall gymnast Ellie lands on her neck during Olmypics routine

The 17-year-old mistimed a forward somersault and landed awkwardly, failing to get her body all the way around and hit the mat directly on her head and neck.

It forced her to abandon the routine a short time later and required assistance from the arena.

But showing true British grit she was back in action 10 minutes later competition floor and in action on the vault, trying to help the women make the team final.

Downie later said she had “crunched her neck” and she had been put in a wheelchair as a precaution but recovered quickly.

It came just hours after French gymnast Samir Ait Said on Saturday, who landed so badly from his vault that his shin snapped.

Ellie, and her 24-year-old sister Becky, are part of Britain’s five-strong woman’s artistic gymnastics team.