Beth Dobbin: Former Olympic sprinter bedbound by ME

Former British Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin, 32, has revealed she is now bedbound for more than 22 hours a day due to myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME). The former 200-meter specialist, who competed in the Tokyo Olympics, describes her condition as “life-decimating,” noting that she only leaves her bed to eat or use the bathroom.

Dobbin attributes the onset of her illness to back-to-back infections of COVID-19 and glandular fever during the 2021-2022 winter. Despite experiencing declining health during major competitions, including the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, she continued to compete until her symptoms became debilitating. She has expressed strong opposition to the term “chronic fatigue syndrome,” arguing it understates the severity of her condition, which involves intense pain, cognitive difficulties, and extreme exhaustion.

Sensory stimuli such as bright lights, loud noises, or even brief conversations can trigger severe “crashes” that last for days or months. Dobbin has chosen to share her story to raise awareness for those living with the incurable disease and to highlight the lack of specialist services within the NHS.