These Olympians Have Excelled Despite Serious Health Issues
We, mere mortals, are privy to viewing otherworldly performances put on by Olympic athletes, but we rarely get to see the obstacles that they must overcome along the way. In some cases, those obstacles come in the form of significant health issues.
You’ll be surprised, and even more inspired than you already were, after learning about these Olympians who’ve had to overcome major health problems to achieve their dreams…
Venus Williams – Tennis, USA
Venus Williams is a tennis goddess, holding the top-ranked spot on three different occasions. She was the first African-American woman to achieve this feat, in addition to winning four Olympic gold medals. But these successes haven’t come easily, as Venus has had to overcome major personal health challenges…
What many don’t realize is that Williams suffers from Sjogren’s Syndrome, an autoimmune disease that shows itself through intense joint pain and fatigue. She refuses to give up on her sport though, and continues to work through the symptoms of the illness and stay at the top.
Kathleen Baker – Swimming, USA
Kathleen Baker has been a decorated competitive swimmer her entire life, most recently winning a silver medal in the 100-meter backstroke at the 2016 Summer Olympics. In addition to athletic challenges, the 19-year-old has experienced many personal ones, especially her battle with Crohn’s disease…
Baker received this shocking diagnosis at the young age of 12. While doctors said she’d never be the Olympian she aspired to be, she’s proven to the whole world that her illness doesn’t define her— letting hard work and determination be her defining traits instead.
Paul George – Basketball, USA
Paul George has been a very successful basketball player in the NBA and is a crucial piece of the United States basketball team’s quest for Olympic gold in the 2016 games. He’s worked hard for his spot though, as just a couple of years ago he was sitting in a hospital bed…
Few basketball fans can forget the tournament game in 2014 where George completely snapped his right leg and was quickly carted off to the hospital. Many didn’t believe that he would ever come back to the sport after this horrific injury, but in return he did. Not only did he go on to play again, but he’s now more of a force to be reckoned with on the basketball court than even before his injury.
Phil Dalhausser – Volleyball, USA
Phil Dalhausser snagged a gold medal in beach volleyball with his partner, Todd Rogers, in the 2008 Olympic games. On top of that, the two currently hold the world champion title awarded by the Federal Internationale de Volleyball. At one point, however, the future of Dalhausser’s career was uncertain…
Right before the London games in 2012, doctors approached Dalhausser with the shocking news— two blood clots had been found in his shoulder. He wasn’t allowed to practice, and doctors discouraged him from even competing in the games. He chose to press on anyway, making it to the first elimination round. Now, he’s back for the games in Rio and is showing the world how he’s overcome this potentially serious setback.
Michael Phelps – Swimming, USA
Michael Phelps is perhaps the most famous Olympian of all time, and statistically the most decorated by a wide margin, with his 28 medals. The road hasn’t been easy, however, as he’s suffered from suicidal thoughts, severe depression, and documented alcoholism…
His six medals in the 2016 Rio Olympics are a testament to his determination, as merely two years prior, Phelps was checked in to a rehab facility for the second time in a ten-year span. Since that time, he hasn’t had a sip of alcohol, he sleeps a minimum of eight hours a night, and his body fat percentage has dropped by several points.
Dana Vollmer – Swimming, USA
Dana Vollmer is one of the world’s most accomplished swimmers, having won 32 medals at international meets (including the 2004, 2012, and 2016 Summer Olympics). Of these, a whopping 19 are gold. Vollmer’s most significant accomplishment, however, has been overcoming a heart defect to pursue her dreams…
Dana Vollmer was diagnosed with long QT syndrome at the age of 15 after she’d already entered the scene as an elite swimmer. Knowing that her heart’s electrical malfunction could lead to cardiac arrest at any moment, Vollmer decided to push on with her career. Now she swims with safety precautions in place, proving that even people with potentially life-threatening conditions can still achieve their dreams.
Carrie Johnson – Kayaking, USA
Carrie Johnson competed in both the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and was the proud recipient of the Kayaking World Cup in 2007. She was originally slated to appear in the 2004 Olympics, but her training was brought to a halt by unexplained stomach pain…
The mystery pain was eventually diagnosed as Crohn’s disease. Rather than giving up, Johnson learned to manage the disease in order to continue to compete in the Olympics. She’s now in pursuit of a career in veterinary medicine and has proven that her illness won’t stand in the way of her goals.
Jake Gibb – Volleyball, USA
Jake Gibb competed in both the Beijing and London Olympics, earning fifth place in the London games with volleyball partner Sean Rosenthal. To achieve that success, however, Gibb had to overcome some serious health issues…
In 2002, a malignant tumor was found in Gibb’s shoulder but was quickly and easily removed. In 2010, however, the tumor had moved, and he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Unwilling to give up the sport he loved, Gibbs fought to beat the cancer and was back on the court just one month later. Gibb has certainly proven his dedication to his sport no matter the obstacle.
Paula Radcliffe – Running, UK
Paula Radcliffe is the current world record holder in the women’s marathon event, having finished the grueling race in just over two hours. She’s seized that first-place spot in many of the races she’s run in her career…
What makes her running success even more exceptional is the knowledge that she struggles with asthma, making every breath a battle for Radcliffe. Even though she withdrew from competing in the 2012 Olympics, Radcliffe will always be considered a running elite and a marathon superstar.
Eric Shanteau – Swimming, USA
Eric Shanteau swam for the United States in both Beijing and London, earning two gold medals at the London games. He’s the current record holder for the 4×100-meter medley relay in the United States, but this progress was nearly brought to a standstill right before the Olympics in 2008…
On the cusp of his moment of glory, Shanteau was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He chose to compete in the games anyway, opting to hold off and remove the tumor after returning home from Beijing. He now uses his fame to help raise public awareness of cancer.
Greg Louganis – Diving, USA
Greg Louganis competed in both the 1984 and 1988 Olympics. During the 1988 competition, though, tragedy struck as Louganis almost lost his chance at gold, and nearly his life…
During a dive in the preliminary competition, Louganis struck his head on the springboard, slicing open the back of his head and delivering a major concussion. Despite the seriousness of the injury, Louganis didn’t stop competing. Only 30 minutes (and quite a few stitches) later, Louganis attempted the same dive and earned a spot in the finals, where he won gold.
Natalie Du Toit – Swimming, South Africa
Natalie Du Toit is a heavily decorated swimmer, sporting 13 international gold medals. What makes her accomplishments even more astounding is the fact that Natalie Du Toit is an amputee…
In 2001, 14-year-old Du Toit fell victim to a tragic scooter accident, and doctors were left with no choice but to amputate her badly injured leg— a devastating blow her Olympic dreams. Despite the difficult road ahead, she decided to push on and found success in both the Paralympic and Beijing Olympic games. She currently travels as a motivational speaker, encouraging young people to persevere through adversity.
Kerri Strug – Gymnastics, USA
Kerri Strug was an integral part of the 1996 US Olympic gymnastics team. She’s most well-known for her vault performances, including landing a stellar second vault after hurting her ankle on the first attempt. Because of her dedication, her team made the final push to gold…
Besides a hurt ankle, Strug also fought against other, more severe health problems for the chance to even compete in the Atlanta games. She struggled with extreme weight loss and a stomach injury that threatened her entire career. Strug managed to overcome both of these obstacles, however, and seal her legacy as an Olympic legend.
Scott Hamilton – Figure Skating, USA
In 1984, Scott Hamilton was awarded the gold medal in men’s figure skating. After that victory, his fame continued to rise, and he went on to win several US and World Championships…
At the age of 39, however, the Olympian received the unexpected news that doctors had found testicular cancer. Undaunted, Hamilton was back on the ice the same year, alternating treatment with competitions. Recently, the skater was diagnosed with a brain tumor, but as one might expect from his fearless character, he’s since undergone treatment and is now in remission. He notes that his determination has been driven by his refusal to have a bad attitude.
Kieran Behan – Gymnastics, Ireland
Kieran Behan was the second athlete from Ireland to ever compete in the Olympics when he made it to London in 2012. His mere presence at the Olympic games— both in 2012 and in 2016 at Rio— is a testament to overcoming the odds…
At age 10, doctors removed a benign tumor from Behan’s leg, which left him in a wheelchair for a time. Just as he’d started to bounce back, he slipped off of a high bar at the age of 12, hitting his head hard enough to cause brain damage and inner ear trouble that led to immobility for three years. Even though he was never expected to walk again, Behan returned to gymnastics and forged his way into the professional world. Behan’s love of gymnastics is evident because these difficulties weren’t enough to stop him from earning a spot on the road to Rio 2016.
Im Dong-Hyun – Archery, South Korea
Im Dong-Hyun has set two world records at the Olympic games (in Atlanta and London), playing an important role in the South Korean team that took gold in 2004…
What makes Dong-Hyun’s achievements remarkable is that he’s legally blind. While one of his eyes has perfect, 20/20 vision, the other eye clocks in at only 20/100. Many times, after he shoots an arrow, Dong-Hyun has been known to ask teammates where his arrow landed. As a blind person competing in a sport that’s almost entirely vision-based, Dong-Hyun has performed incredibly.
David Smith – Volleyball, USA
David Smith was part of the US Olympic volleyball team in the London 2012 games. He and his teammates went on to win the World Cup in 2015 as well. But playing on such an elite team requires quick, perfect communication…
This communication looks slightly different for Smith, though, because he’s nearly 90% deaf. To communicate, Smith must read lips and rely on strong hearing aids to work with his team. He deals with this challenge with such panache, though, that his hearing disability is easy to forget as he helps carry his team to victory.
Jackie Joyner-Kersee – Track and Field, USA
Jackie Joyner-Kersee sports an impressive track record (no pun intended), earning three gold medals in the four games she’s competed in. She’s considered one of the best female runners and athletes of all time…
This title has been hard-earned, as Joyner-Kersee suffers from severe asthma. After almost dying from an intense asthma attack, she worked to get the issue under control and pushed on to become the Olympic great she is today.
Amy Van Dyken – Swimming, USA
Amy Van Dyken has won a whopping six Olympic gold medals in her lifetime. What many don’t realize is that her initial interest in swimming was spurred by the need to increase her lung capacity…
Van Dyken suffered from severe asthma as a child, and doctors recommended swimming to help her body take in more oxygen. This endeavor to simply improve her lung health eventually led to her astounding success in the Olympic arena.
Pete Vanderkaay – Swimming, USA
Pete Vanderkaay has won four medals as an Olympic swimmer for the United States. This already astounding feat is made even more notable because Vanderkaay has to fight for every breath while slicing through the water…
Vanderkaay is yet another Olympian who has overcome asthma to win at the international level. Vanderkaay carefully manages his asthma but doesn’t let it get in his way as he continues to swim toward greatness.
Allison Schmitt – Swimming, USA
Allison Schmitt competed in both Beijing and London as a freestyle swimmer for the United States, bringing in an impressive five medals in the London games. Of these, three were gold. Most recently, Schmitt grabbed gold again alongside her teammates in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the 2016 games in Rio…
To achieve this level of success at the Olympic games, Schmitt first had to overcome her battle with depression. She now works to raise awareness for mental illness, hoping to save lives by speaking out.
Tamika Catchings – Basketball, USA
Tamika Catchings is almost a household name in basketball for the United States. She’s been named MVP in the WNBA finals and is on her way to becoming one of only three American basketball players with four Olympic gold medals. Growing up, Catchings used basketball as an escape from a world of bullying…
Catchings was born with severe hearing impairments. Tormented by her peers for her speech impediment and the need for hearing aids, Catchings found her sanctuary on the basketball court. She fell in love with the game, following it all the way to international success.
Carlo Orlandi – Boxing, USA
Carlo Orlandi was a gold medalist in the 1928 Olympic games who carried his success on to win lightweight titles for both Italy and all of Europe. Most notable, however, is that Orlandi was the first deaf-mute Olympian…
Orlandi was born completely deaf, but that didn’t stop him from overcoming adversaries in the ring. At the end of his career, Orlandi had a record 97 wins and only 19 losses. He was one of the first Olympians to forge past a physical impairment to rise above the rest.
Jeff Float – Swimming, USA
Jeff Float became an Olympic gold medalist at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. As thousands of fans cheered him on during the national anthem, he raised his hand, showing the “I love you” sign in sign language. He’d just become the first deaf swimmer to win a gold medal at the Olympics…
At just one-year-old, Float’s battle with viral meningitis left him with severe hearing impairment. With 65% and 90% deafness in his left and right ears, respectively, Float may not have been able to fully hear the fans cheering him on, but their roars for his success were incomparable.
Frank Bartolillo – Fencing, Australia
Frank Bartolillo received a silver medal in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens. His fencing career began at the age of 1, and he was the competitor to beat in Australia by the time he was only 16 years old…
Bartolillo was born completely deaf, so for him, lip reading and sign language are a part of life. He claims his deafness is an advantage, as it eliminates distractions during competitions. That’s just one way he’s turned a lack of hearing into a champion’s tactic.