British Olympic Sprinter Beth Dobbin in Bed for 22 Hours a Day After ME Diagnosis

Beth Dobbin, a British sprinter who competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, has spoken publicly about her devastating health battle since being diagnosed with ME (myalgic encephalomyelitis), also known as chronic fatigue syndrome. Five years on from her Olympic appearance, Dobbin says she is largely bedbound, spending up to 22 hours a day unable to get up.

ME is a complex, chronic condition that affects the nervous system. It is characterized by extreme fatigue that is not relieved by rest, pain, cognitive difficulties, and a worsening of symptoms following physical or mental exertion. There is currently no cure and no widely approved treatment.

Dobbin's case highlights the risk that elite athletes may face from conditions like ME, which can be triggered or worsened by viral infections. The athlete has become an advocate for greater awareness and research funding for ME, which affects an estimated 250,000 people in the UK alone.