The Olympic sprinter now bedbound for 22 hours a day
Beth Dobbin, who ran for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, now spends more than 22 hours a day in bed because of severe ME. She is speaking publicly to raise awareness despite the risk that the interview itself could worsen her condition, and says the illness has taken away her independence, health and ability to work or exercise.
Her symptoms began after Covid and glandular fever infections in the winter of 2021-22, then worsened during a demanding season in which she competed at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships. Several specialists diagnosed ME after tests found no clear explanation; the condition has no known cure or specific treatment and can cause more than 200 symptoms. Dobbin says even conversation, bright light or loud noise can trigger a crash lasting from a day to months.
- Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin spends over 22 hours a day in bed with ME.
- Her symptoms worsened after Covid and glandular fever in 2021-22.
- She is speaking out despite the risk of a prolonged health crash.
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ME, or myalgic encephalomyelitis, is a long-term illness that can affect many parts of the body and vary greatly in severity. There is no single test that confirms it, and doctors may diagnose it after ruling out other explanations for a person’s symptoms.
A common feature is that physical or mental effort can make symptoms worse, sometimes after a delay; this is known as post-exertional malaise. For people with severe ME, everyday activities such as talking, moving around or dealing with light and noise can be difficult, and there is no known cure or specific treatment.