A Kent sailor will miss this year's Olympics due to ongoing cancer treatment.

Elliot Willis, from Sevenoaks, was diagnosed with bowel cancer in December.

The 32-year-old, two-time world champion qualified for the Rio Olympics in the 470 with Luke Patience but the British pair have been withdrawn.

Elliot Willis. Picture: RYA

The decision was taken by the British Olympic Association and Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and comes as the BOA announces five additional sailors elected to compete for team GB.

A spokesman said: "Due to Elliot’s ongoing treatment for bowel cancer, as a two person crew, they are unfortunately unable to follow the combined training programme required to maximise their chances of success in Rio."

Stephen Park, Royal Yachting Association Olympic manager and team GB sailing team leader said the circumstances surrounding the deselection of Luke and Elliot are disappointing.

"The thoughts of all the team continue to be with Elliot in his ongoing recovery" - Luke Patience

He added: "However, as a team we knew we would be set a number of challenges in this journey to Rio 2016 and this is just one we have to deal with along the road.

"Hopefully this doesn’t mark the end of Elliot’s Olympic journey and we look forward to seeing him back in the boat soon.”

Selection trials for Great Britain's men's 470 pairing will now continue. Patience, a 470 silver medallist at London 2012 with Stuart Bithell, will attempt to re-qualify with Chris Grube.

The 29-year-old said: “Clearly Elliot’s situation is one neither of us foresaw when we embarked on our campaign together and I’m sad that we won’t be able to compete together in Rio this summer.

"The thoughts of all the team continue to be with Elliot in his ongoing recovery. For me, it’s absolutely the right thing to do to see through the work Elliot and I started out together."

The five sailors added to the squad for Rio include Nick Dempsey, who will compete in his fifth games.

Also competing will be Charlotte Dobson and Sophie Ainsworth, from Ashford, who will make their Olympic debuts in the 49erFX - a new event for Rio.

2015 European champions Ben Saxton and Nicola Groves have been selected for the Nacra 17.