'I could have died," says paralysed Olympic champion Vogel

"I know I will never walk again," said cyclist Kristina Vogel on Wednesday at her first public appearance since an accident in June that left her paralysed.

"Maybe I'll win my 12th gold medal elsewhere," added Vogel, who has won 11 world titles as well as two Olympic golds.

"What do I have to feel sorry about?" the 27-year-old asked.

"The situation is what it is, I will obviously find other goals."
"I could have been dead, I was damn lucky."
"It's a stark break in life, a turn of 180 degrees. But I'm here, on two wheels or on four wheels. I do not have to hide. I would like to be independent."
"I'm looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again, cooking for myself, feeling my own walls around me, being alone with my partner." she said. "I want to resume life and give up outside help as much as possible."
"It touched me deeply, and it gave me positive energy," she said. "I cried with joy when I came out of coma and discovered all the messages from all over the world."