Austrian pole vaulter Kira Grunberg has sustained injuries in training that have left her a paraplegic, the Austrian Athletics Federation (OELV) has confirmed.

The 21-year-old - Austria's leading pole vaulter - suffered a fall in training on Thursday and was hospitalised with a suspected cervical vertebra injury.

Grunberg underwent surgery at the University Clinic in Innsbruck, with the OELV later confirming the severity of her injuries.

A statement read: "After the severe accident during the training of Austrian record pole vaulter Kira Grunberg, the traumatological department of the University Clinic Innsbruck announced the following on Friday morning.

"The patient was brought to the hospital on Thursday, July 30, after an accident in training. A break in the cervical spine was discovered. Before any surgery there was already diagnosed a paraplegia.

"Due to that, a team from the accident surgery immediately operated on her to stabilise her cervical spine and to avoid further damage. The patient currently lies in the traumatological intensive care unit. The examinations of the next few weeks will give clues about the further process."

The statement added: "At the moment, the continuation of her sporting career is not an option.

"The family and the team of Kira Grunberg thank everybody for all the sympathies and support in these hard hours."