World champion runner Jenny Simpson recently shared that a rare heart condition led to her experiencing cardiac arrest during a race in June, announcing that she will not be returning to competitive running. Simpson, aged 39, disclosed on Instagram that she was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that resulted in dangerous heart rhythms leading to her heart stopping.
Due to the diagnosis, Simpson emphasized that it would be unsafe for her to resume running. She expressed, “That chapter has ended, but thankfully, my story continues.” The incident occurred while Simpson was pacing a group of girls in a mile run at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she collapsed. Immediate CPR was administered on the track, and an automated external defibrillator was utilized before she was swiftly taken to the hospital by medics.
In her post, Simpson shared her perspective on reactions to the event, stating, “Please do not say that you’re sorry or that you feel bad for me. If it is true in your heart, please tell me you’re glad that I’m here. That’s how I feel — so glad that I’m still here.” Simpson had a successful career as America’s leading women’s 1,500-meter runner for approximately a decade starting in 2007. Her achievements include winning world championships in 2011, securing two second-place finishes, and claiming the Olympic bronze medal in Rio in 2016.