American Olympic medalist and former world champion Jenny Simpson is currently hospitalized after she collapsed during a community track event in Raleigh, North Carolina on Tuesday, according to a statement released Wednesday by the Sir Walter Running team.
Simpson, 39, was serving as a pacer for a mile group at the community event hosted by Sir Walter Running when she suddenly collapsed. Bystanders performed CPR, and an automated external defibrillator was used on her before emergency medical services transported her to a nearby hospital, according to local media reports.
The Sir Walter Running team expressed deep gratitude for those who stepped in to help. “We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately, as well as (the emergency medical services) and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care, urgency and professionalism,” the team said in a written statement.
The team went on to say, “Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time.”
“We also thank everyone who has reached out with concern and support. We ask that you continue to keep Jenny and her family in your thoughts,” the statement continued.
Simpson had a decorated career in competitive distance running. She claimed gold in the 1,500 meters at the 2011 world championships and earned bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. She also took home silver medals in the 1,500 meters at both the 2013 and 2017 world championships before retiring from competition in 2024.
