Olympic medallist Jenny Simpson suffers collapse at Raleigh track event
Former Olympic medallist Jenny Simpson is receiving hospital treatment following a serious medical incident where she collapsed at a running event in North Carolina on Tuesday.
The 39-year-old was acting as a pacemaker for a mile group at a Sir Walter Miler pop-up meet in Raleigh when the frightening episode occurred.
Reports indicate the American required immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the track before being transferred to a local medical facility.
Trackside emergency response
Event organisers swiftly confirmed the situation via a formal statement released on social media.
“Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time.”
The Sir Walter Miler team expressed immense gratitude to those who provided rapid assistance on the ground.
“We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately, as well as EMS and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care, urgency, and professionalism.”
Organisers also thanked the wider athletics community for an outpouring of concern and support following the news.
“We ask that you continue to keep Jenny and her family in your prayers as we all hope for the very best.”
A decorated athletics legacy
The highly decorated middle-distance runner only recently retired from competitive athletics at the conclusion of the 2024 season.
She famously claimed 1500m gold at the 2011 World Championships, establishing herself as a dominant force on the global stage.
The renowned competitor later secured a brilliant bronze medal in the same discipline at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Further cementing her sporting legacy, the former world champion also collected silver medals over 1500m at both the 2013 and 2017 World Championships.
