Photo via BBC Sport

The Olympic sprinter now bedbound for 22 hours a day

Former Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin, who competed for Great Britain in Tokyo five years ago, now spends over 22 hours a day confined to bed due to severe myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The condition, triggered by consecutive Covid and glandular fever infections in late 2021, has left her nearly housebound—she ventured out only five times this year.

Dobbin’s decline began subtly with increased fatigue and slower running times, but by the 2022 season, she was battling persistent glandular pain, nighttime disruptions, and dizziness during races. Her struggles peaked at the European Championships, where she false-started after losing sensation in her legs, marking what she called a 'year of hell.' Despite multiple specialist consultations, her symptoms worsened, leaving her bedridden for months at a time, with even minor activities like a doctor’s visit triggering prolonged relapses.

Dobbin, now 32, has lost her ability to work, train, or maintain independence, though she continues to speak out about ME to raise awareness, acknowledging the risks to her health in doing so.

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