Cameron van der Burgh, Olympic Medallist Diagnosed With Coronavirus: ‘Worst Virus I Have Ever Endured’, Says Former South African Swimmer
Cameron van der Burgh also informed that although “more severe symptoms have eased” he is still weak and has a bad cough. “I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake. Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours,” wrote Van Burgh in a long thread.
Two-time Olympic medallist and 2012 London Olympics swimming champion, Cameron van der Burgh, has revealed that he is diagnosed with coronavirus. The retired South African swimmer described the illness as “by far the worst virus I have ever endured” and also said that athletes who continue to train for 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite the COVID-19 outbreak are further “exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.” In a series of messages on social media, Van der Burgh not only revealed that he has been struck down with the virus for the last 14 days but also advised the other athletes to look after themselves. Tokyo Olympics 2020 Postponed to 2021 Amid Coronavirus Outbreak: Report.
The 31-year-old, who currently lives in London where he works with the financial industry, also informed that although “more severe symptoms have eased” he is still weak and has a bad cough. “I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake. Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours,” wrote Van Burgh in a long thread.
Cameron van der Burgh Diagnosed With Coronavirus
Part of the thread was also dedicated for advice to athletes preparing for the Tokyo Games. Athletes who continue to train are “exposing themselves to unnecessary risk” as there is still “no clarification” if the Summer Olympics will go ahead as per schedule.
Athletes Who Continue to Train Will Suffer
Health Comes First
The fate of Tokyo Games 2020, which is scheduled to start on July 24 later this year and run through until August 09, has come under serious threat as the coronavirus situation continue to escalate across the globe with over 16, 000 death already taking place and over 4 lakh people getting diagnosed with the virus.
The statement from International Olympic Committee and Japan PM Shizon Abe, on Monday, however, suggested that the Olympics might be postponed although it will be called off. After weeks of insisting that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will take place as planned, the IOC said that they will reconsider the decision and put out a final announcement in four weeks while Abe told his parliament that the postponement of Tokyo 2020 might be “inevitable.”
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 24, 2020 11:47 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).