American Olympian rushed to hospital without a pulse after collapsing in frightening moment
American Olympic athlete Jenny Simpson was taken to hospital after a worrying moment led to her collapsing during a race.
The 39-year-old long-distance runner won bronze in the women's 1500m at the 2016 Olympics in Rio, while also winning gold at the 2011 World Championships before winning silver medals at the same event in the 2013 and 2017 iterations of the competition.
Simpson had retired from competitive running at the end of the 2024 season after running the New York Marathon.
Now it has been reported that Simpson, while pacing a mile group at a Pop Up Miles event in Raleigh on Tuesday, had the opportunity to meet fans before she would soon need to be rushed to hospital after collapsing at the event in North Carolina.
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Simpson needed CPR to restart her heart after she collapsed and didn't have a pulse; however, before being rushed to the hospital, they had regained her pulse, and the 39-year-old is now recovering under the care of medical professionals.
The organiser of the event, Sir Walter Running, said in a statement: “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.
“Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time.
“We are also thankful to everyone who has reached out with concern and support. We ask that you continue to keep Jenny and her family in your prayers as we all hope for the very best.”
Simpson did not just compete in the 1500m, as she also competed at several Olympics in the 3000m event too, as she was part of Team USA at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing and 2012 in London.
The 39-year-old was also a former American record holder for the 3000 metre steeplechase in what has been a fine professional career.
Ben McCrum