Three-time Olympian Jenny Simpson was hospitalized after collapsing at a track event on Tuesday in North Carolina. The 39-year-old runner, one of the most accomplished American female runners in history, is receiving medical treatment.
Medical Incident at Raleigh Event
The organizer of the event, Sir Walter Running, confirmed a medical incident involving Simpson while she paced a mile group at a gathering in Raleigh. According to reports from Runner’s World and LetsRun, Simpson did not have a pulse for a period of time but it was restored through CPR and the use of an AED.
Sir Walter Running expressed gratitude in a statement: '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. Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time.'
The organization also thanked those who reached out with concern and support, asking for continued prayers for Simpson and her family.
Simpson's Illustrious Career
Simpson represented the United States at three Olympics: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio de Janeiro 2016. She won a bronze medal in the 1500m at the 2016 Olympics, becoming the first American woman to medal in that event.
She was the 2011 world champion in the 1500m and earned silver medals in the same event at the 2013 and 2017 world championships. Simpson claimed 11 US titles before retiring from competitive running in 2024.
The track and field community has rallied around Simpson, with many expressing hope for her full recovery.
