Former World Champion Jenny Simpson Hospitalised After Collapsing at Track Event
The 39-year-old American Olympic medallist and former world champion Jenny Simpson has been hospitalised following a sudden medical emergency at a community athletics meet in Raleigh, North Carolina.
The incident occurred on Tuesday while the retired athlete was acting as a pacemaker for a mile race organised by Sir Walter Running. According to local media reports Simpson collapsed on the track and required immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Bystanders and medical staff also utilised an automated external defibrillator before she was safely transported to a nearby hospital.
Praise for emergency responders
On Wednesday the Sir Walter Running team released an official statement confirming that Simpson is currently under medical supervision and praised the swift actions of those present at the venue.
An update from the Sir Walter team pic.twitter.com/F7t1zJI1Eu
— Sir Walter Running (@SirWalterRun) June 17, 2026
The event organisers reassured the public that the beloved runner is receiving excellent medical attention. They also expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of public sympathy and requested that fans continue to keep Simpson and her family in their thoughts during this difficult period.
A highly decorated career
Jenny Simpson is widely regarded as one of the most successful middle-distance runners in American history. She enjoyed a heavily decorated professional career on the global stage before officially announcing her retirement from competitive athletics in 2024.
Her major international achievements in the 1,500 metres include:
- A gold medal at the 2011 World Championships
- Silver medals at the 2013 and 2017 World Championships
- A bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro
