Jenny Simpson, one of America's most decorated female distance runners, was hospitalized Tuesday after losing consciousness during a track event in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Simpson, 39, was pacing a mile group at the Sir Walter Running event when the medical emergency occurred. According to reports, she lost her pulse but was revived through CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator. She is currently receiving hospital care.
The event organizer released a statement expressing gratitude to emergency responders and medical personnel who intervened immediately. "We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately, as well as EMS and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care, urgency, and professionalism," Sir Walter Running said. "Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time."
Simpson's competitive resume spans three Olympic appearances representing the United States in Beijing, London, and Rio de Janeiro. She captured bronze in the 1500 meters at the 2016 Rio Games, becoming the first American woman to medal in that event at the Olympics. In world championships, she claimed gold in 2011 and silver medals in 2013 and 2017, all in the 1500m. She accumulated 11 national titles before stepping away from elite competition in 2024.
Author James Rodriguez: "Simpson's collapse is a stark reminder that even the most elite athletes are vulnerable to sudden medical events, and the quick action of bystanders and responders likely saved her life."
Comments