World champion athlete Jenny Simpson recently shared that she experienced cardiac arrest during a race in June due to a rare heart condition, leading to her decision to retire from running. In an Instagram announcement, the 39-year-old disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which caused dangerous heart rhythms, ultimately resulting in her heart stopping. Simpson emphasized that due to this diagnosis, it would be unsafe for her to resume running, marking the end of that chapter in her life.

The incident took place while Simpson was assisting a group of young runners in a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she collapsed. Immediate CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator were crucial in providing emergency care before she was transported to the hospital for further treatment. Reflecting on the event, Simpson expressed gratitude for being alive and urged well-wishers to focus on being glad for her presence rather than offering sympathy.

During her illustrious career spanning from 2007 to 2017, Simpson was a dominant force in women’s 1,500-meter running in the United States. She achieved significant milestones such as winning world championships in 2011, securing two second-place finishes, and clinching an Olympic bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.