Former British Olympian Beth Dobbin Bedridden with Severe ME
Former British Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin, who competed in Tokyo, is now bedridden 22 hours a day due to severe chronic fatigue syndrome (ME). In a heartbreaking interview, she opened up about her devastating battle.
From Tokyo Olympics to Bedridden Struggle
Five years ago, Beth Dobbin was competing against the world's fastest sprinters, representing Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympic Games. Today, at just 32 years old, she spends more than 22 hours a day in bed, is barely able to leave her home, and is battling a severe, incurable chronic illness. In a shattering interview with BBC Sport, published on Friday, the former sprinter exposed the harsh reality she now faces and her daily struggle with the disease.
Dobbin was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), a condition also known as chronic fatigue syndrome, which can cause extreme exhaustion, pain, sleep disorders, memory and concentration issues, and various other symptoms. In particularly severe cases, such as the one Dobbin is experiencing, even simple daily activities can lead to a prolonged worsening of her condition. During 2026, she managed to leave her home only five times, and even a conversation or a doctor's visit can trigger a relapse lasting months.
A Devastating Downward Spiral
The deterioration began in the winter of 2021/22, after she contracted COVID-19 twice and also suffered from glandular fever. Initially, she did not realize how serious her condition was, but gradually she began experiencing pain, an increased need for sleep, and a decline in her athletic ability. Medical tests provided no definitive answers, and she continued to compete despite the symptoms. In 2022, she participated in the Commonwealth Games, the European Championships, and the World Championships—a period she later described as a "year from hell."
During the European Championships, she suddenly lost sensation in her legs while standing on the starting blocks, leading to a false start. "When the European Championships ended, I took a very long rest, but the symptoms just kept piling up," she said. Earlier this year, Dobbin announced her retirement from athletics due to what she defined as a "severe health issue that changed her life."
"It destroys lives in a way that I can't even describe in words," she shared. "I feel like I've lost everything. I still have my family, but I've lost my independence, my health, my ability to work, and my ability to train."
Raising Awareness for ME
Despite the common nickname of the disease, "chronic fatigue syndrome," Dobbin distances herself from it. According to her, fatigue is not even among the most severe symptoms she experiences. When asked about the future, she struggled to find reasons for optimism, noting that the medical community has finally started paying attention, giving her hope that future research might bring a breakthrough.
