American middle-distance runner Jenny Simpson collapsed during a race at the US Championships on Wednesday and was taken to hospital, but her condition is stable, according to officials.
Simpson, 39, a former world champion and Olympic medalist, was competing in the 1500 metres at the championships in Eugene, Oregon, when she fell to the track with about 200 metres remaining.
Medical staff attended to her immediately and she was taken by stretcher to a waiting ambulance. The race was stopped as she received treatment.
USA Track and Field said in a statement that Simpson was conscious and responsive, and that she was taken to a local hospital for further evaluation. The statement added that her condition was stable.
Simpson’s husband and coach, Mark Wetmore, accompanied her to the hospital. He said later that she was doing well and that the collapse appeared to be due to dehydration and heat exhaustion.
The temperature in Eugene was about 32 degrees Celsius at the time of the race, and Simpson had been competing in her second event of the day after running in the 800 metres earlier.
Simpson is one of the most decorated American middle-distance runners, winning a world title in the 1500 metres in 2011 and an Olympic bronze medal in the same event in 2016. She has also won multiple national titles.
The incident brought back memories of similar collapses in athletics, including that of British runner Kelly Holmes at the 2004 Olympics, though Holmes went on to win gold later that week.
Fellow athletes and fans expressed support for Simpson on social media, with many wishing her a speedy recovery.
The US Championships continue through the weekend, with Simpson’s participation in further events uncertain.
