COVID-19: By far the worst virus I have ever endured – Olympic champion

London 2012 Olympic gold medallist Cameron van der Burgh has issued a stern warning to athletes regarding the coronavirus.

Van der Burgh revealed in a recent Twitter thread that he has been suffering through the virus for the past two weeks.

COVID-19 ‘by far the worst virus’ Van der Burgh has suffered

The 31-year-old, who lives in London, opened up on the debilitating effects of the COVID-19 virus. He warned athletes preparing for the Tokyo 2020 Games that while contracting the respiratory disease may not necessarily prove fatal, it has the potential to devastate the conditioning of elite performers.

“I have been struggling with COVID-19 for 14 days today,” the double world champion Tweeted on Sunday 22 March.

“By far the worst virus I have ever endured despite being a healthy individual with strong lungs (no smoking/sport), living a healthy lifestyle and being young (least at risk demographic).

“Although the most severe symptoms (extreme fever) have eased, I am still struggling with serious fatigue and a residual cough that I can’t shake. Any physical activity like walking leaves me exhausted for hours.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) have drawn criticism for their stance on the Games which have yet to be postponed. The IOC have now announced that they will consider pushing back the games which were set to get underway on 24 July 2020.

Van der Burgh, who is recently retired from swimming and works as a hedge fund analyst, says that athletes who continue to train, are putting themselves at severe risk given the effects of COVID-19 has on conditioning and performance.

“The loss in body conditioning has been immense and can only feel for the athletes that contract COVID-19 as they will suffer a great loss of current conditioning through the last training cycle. Infection closer to competition being the worst,” wrote Van der Burgh.

“Athletes will continue to train as there is no clarification re summer Games and thus are exposing themselves to unnecessary risk — and those that do contract will try rush back to training most likely enhancing/extending the damage/recovery time.” 

Olympics mull options

The summer Olympics have previously only been interrupted by the first and second world wars. Since restarting in 1948 the Games of the Olympiad have been held every four years without fail.

Athletes have been among the harshest critics of the IOC and Tokyo organisers and on Sunday they finally gave in, setting a four week deadline for alternative arrangements to be put in place in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Organisers are considering moving the games, scaling back events and also competing without spectators.