Retired South African Olympic swimmer Cameron van der Burgh detailed his struggles with coronavirus from the last two weeks.
“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),” was tweeted from the retired South African’s account. “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.
“Please, look after yourself everyone! Health comes first - COVID-19 is no joke!”
Van der Burgh, 31, retired in December 2018 after a competitive career that included becoming the first African man to win an individual Olympic swimming event.
He won the 100m breaststroke at the London Games to join fellow breaststroker Penny Heyns, backstroker Joan Harrison and the 2004 men’s 4x100m free relay as South Africa’s Olympic swimming gold medalists. Chad le Clos joined the club later in the Games when he upset Michael Phelps in the 200m butterfly.
At the 2012 Olympics, van der Burgh won in a then-world-record time and dedicated it to Norwegian Alexander Dale Oen, the 2011 World champion who died suddenly while training in Arizona that spring.
Van der Burgh added world silver medals in the event in 2013 and 2015 and Olympic silver in Rio behind Brit Adam Peaty, now the world-record holder.
2/ I have been struggling with Covid-19 for 14 days today. 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)
— Cameron van der Burgh OIS (@Cameronvdburgh) March 22, 2020
4/ 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.
— Cameron van der Burgh OIS (@Cameronvdburgh) March 22, 2020
6/ Please, look after yourself everyone! Health comes first - COVID-19 is no joke!
— Cameron van der Burgh OIS (@Cameronvdburgh) March 22, 2020