BETH DOBBIN DESCRIBES IMPACT OF ME DIAGNOSIS

Beth Dobbin says myalgic encephalomyelitis, known as ME, has left her spending more than 22 hours a day in bed and unable to work or exercise. The sprinter, who represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, says she now gets up only to eat and use the bathroom. Dobbin says she has left her house on five occasions this year. “I have still got my family, but I've lost my independence, my health, the ability to work, the ability to exercise,” she said.

Dobbin traces the start of her illness to successive Covid and glandular fever infections in the winter of 2021-22, which retrospective tests identified. She initially noticed increased sleep and slower running times, followed by soreness in the glands of her neck and armpits. According to her account, British Athletics doctors carried out tests that provided no answers, and she continued competing while assuming glandular fever symptoms would pass. She qualified for the 2022 World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships, but described worsening health, including throat pain and disrupted sleep at the Worlds.

Dobbin says she chose to speak publicly to raise awareness of ME and its effects on her daily life. She described prolonged deterioration after activities outside her home. “I've done little things like attend a blood test at the doctors and been in bed for months after,” she said. Explaining her decision to give an interview, she added: “But I felt like it was really important to do that to get the message out.”