British distance runner Jessica Warner-Judd, who collapsed during the European Athletics Championships, claims she has been provisionally diagnosed with a type of epilepsy.
The athlete suffered a seizure with roughly 600 metres yet to go for the women’s 10,000-metre event. After being brought to the medical centre, she experienced another seizure, at which point she was put under sedation and brought to the hospital.
Warner-Judd stated in a social media post: “From getting the bus to the warm-up track, I can’t explain it—something felt off… I don’t remember much about the race apart from around 3k in. My head felt incredibly tight, but I stubbornly persevered.”
“It has been an incredibly tough couple of months and has culminated in me being provisionally diagnosed with focal epilepsy… I’m not sure what the future holds … but I’m eager not to let this stop me and be back running soon,” she added.
Europeans. From getting the bus to the warm up track, I can't explain it-something felt off! I don't remember much about the race apart from around 3k in, my head felt incredibly tight but I stubbornly persevered.
With 600m to go, I suffered a seizure, and when taken to the (1/3)— Jess Warner-Judd (@jesswarnerjuddx) June 13, 2024
Focal epilepsy
A neurological disorder called focal epilepsy causes recurrent seizures that only impact one side of the brain.
In March, Warner-Judd also experienced a seizure during a 10,000-metre race in the United States, describing the sensation as though her head was about to explode. Despite these unfortunate findings, the athlete shared that her subsequent test results were normal and she is now slowly going back to her training.
Warner-Judd thanked British Athletics, her family, and her friends for their unconditional support as she faced this difficulty in the last few months.
Source: CNN