James Cracknell to continue recovery at home

Former Olympic champion James Cracknell will be back home with his family by the end of the week after he nearly died in a cycling accident in America.

The 38-year-old father-of-two was treated for a fractured skull after being knocked off his bike on July 20 in Arizona.

His wife, TV presenter Beverley Turner, said her husband's 'drive and determination' had helped with his recovery.

She said: "The biggest challenge now is to manage James's return to the work that he loves. Rest and recuperation are strange concepts to such an active man. But he is looking forward to being home with the children. Both James and I would like to thank everyone for their overwhelming support throughout this difficult process."

James suffered bruising to his brain in the accident and has spent the last two weeks in a London hospital.

The adventurer found fame after winning gold medals in the coxless fours rowing at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and Athens in 2004.

He was in the state filming for the Discovery Channel and was due to attempt to set a new world record cycling from Canada to Mexico for a BBC series shortly afterwards with his friend Ben Fogle.

The pair have undertaken a number of TV challenges which have put their health at risk, rowing across the Atlantic and racing to the South Pole.