The 41-year-old former gold medallist underwent the operation on December 9 following a bacterial infection which led to blood poisoning.

"I had the choice of losing my leg or losing my life," she said.

"But I wanted to live,.

"This septicaemia could have been fatal.

"Fifty percent of all those with such an infection do not survive it."

Wyludda studied medicine after finishing her athletic career, and received her licence to practice medicine this January, despite having been plagued with pain in her leg.

She had undergone several operations on her knee and lower leg last year.

It was after one of these that complications arose, with one wound becoming infected.

She added that she was ready to make the necessary changes in her life to adapt to the missing leg, and then intended to continue work as a doctor, specialising in pain therapy.

"Of course there will be changes; the flat and car will have to be altered," she said.

"But life is like that now."

Wyludda set 11 junior records at discus throw and two at shot put, and became junior world champion.

Between 1989 and 1991 she recorded 41 successive wins, only to be beaten by Tzvetanka Khristova at the 1991 World Championships in Tokyo.

Four years later she took silver at the Gothenburg World Championships before taking her Olympic title the following season.

Gerhard Bottcher, her former trainer, commented: "This thing is very regrettable due to her long suffering.

"But with her strong will, she will be in the situation to master this situation too.

"She took the right decision after a long time of consideration."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]