ZCZC
BSP-01
OLY-2020-SWIM-USA-ADRIAN-HEALTH
Olympic champ Adrian has cancer, targeting Tokyo 2020
LOS ANGELES, Jan 25, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Five-time Olympic champion swimmer
Nathan Adrian said Thursday he has testicular cancer but is confident of
recovery and wants to compete at the 2020 Tokyo games.
In a statement on Twitter, the 30-year-old 2012 100m freestyle gold
medallist said he expects to be back swimming within “weeks” after starting
treatment.
Adrian, who also has four Olympic gold medals as a member of US relay
teams, said his illness had been diagnosed early.
“We caught it early, I have already started treatment and the prognosis is
good,” Adrian wrote. “I will be back in the water in a few short weeks with
my sights fully set on Tokyo.”
Adrian has appeared in three Olympics, in 2008, 2012 and 2016, winning
eight medals in total. He has also won 11 world championship medals
throughout his career.
Adrian meanwhile used news of his illness to encourage men to seek regular
check-ups for their health.
“I’ve realized that too often we tend to avoid these important topics,
ignore potential warning signs, and put off getting medical help we need,”
Adrian wrote.
“I am keeping a positive attitude as cases such as mine are curable.”
BSS/AFP/MRI/0840 hrs