Winter Olympics 2014: Bode Miller bows out of Winter Games after he confirms he will not compete in Friday's slalom

36-year-old suffered a knock to his surgically repaired knee in Wednesday's giant slalom and will not risk his health in what would have been his final Winter Olympic event

American skier Bode Miller looks to have taken part in his final Winter Olympic event after confirming he will not take part in Friday's slalom (GETTY IMAGES)

Skier Bode Miller appears to have taken part in his final Winter Olympics race after announcing he will not compete in the men's slalom on Friday.

The 36-year-old became the first skier from the United States to win medals at three different winter Games when he claimed bronze at the super-G over the weekend at the Rosa Khutor Alpine Center.

But he suffered a knock to his surgically repaired left knee in the giant slalom on Wednesday - where he finished 20th, more than two and a half seconds behind compatriot and winner Ted Ligety - and has decided not to risk aggravating it further by continuing to compete.

"I'm bummed I'm out for the slalom, I wanted a miracle. Thank you all for the amazing support, it's been incredible," he wrote on Twitter.

As Miller will be 40 before Pyeongchang 2018, it is highly unlikely he will add to his storied legacy at another Games.

He won two silvers in Salt Lake City in 2002 and a gold, silver and bronze four years ago in Vancouver, but it is his success on Sunday, which made him the oldest alpine skier to earn a podium position at an Olympics, that may have been his proudest moment.

Miller has suffered a multitude of injuries in the last few years, but his biggest setback came in April last year when his younger brother Chelone died suddenly of a seizure at the age of just 29.

Following his podium place in Sochi, Miller said immediately afterwards: "It's a really big day for me emotionally.

"It's been such a tough two years, with my brother passing away and all the injuries.

"With how close everything has been, I'm just finally getting a little luck and a break. The skiing for me is not the emotional part, it's just all the rest. This year has been crazy."

PA

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Watch Bode Miller talk about his performance at Sochi