Gold medal-winning English athlete Jessica Warner-Judd has been provisionally diagnosed with focal epilepsy after having two seizures during the 2024 European Championships in Rome.
The mid- and long-distance runner had a seizure during the women’s 10,000m final on 11 June 2024, and had to drop out with 600m to go.
Warner-Judd posted on X: “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 medical centre I suffered a further seizure and so was sedated and taken to hospital where I spent the night.
“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.”
She received an outpouring of support on social media, including from Wales 400m hurdler Dai Greene and British sprinter Beth Dobbin, who also have epilepsy.
Greene wrote: “Sorry to hear that Jess. @BethDobbin and myself also have epilepsy. Happy to chat with you about my experiences.”
Dobbin added: “Yes so sorry to hear this Jess, I know how challenging they can be and like Dai said here if you need anything at all. Health first always!! I hope you start to feel better soon, sending love”.
In 2019, Warner-Judd won a gold medal for the 5,000m in the 2019 World University Games – the Summer Universiade – in Naples, Italy.
In her post on X, she said: “I’m not sure what my year will look like, but I’m eager not to let this stop me and be back running soon”.
Alongside Warner-Judd, Greene and Dobbin, English swimmer Imogen Clark has also spoken publicly about having epilepsy.
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