Olympian Jenny Simpson Retires After Heart Diagnosis

Olympic medalist Jenny Simpson will never run again after being diagnosed with a rare heart condition that caused her to collapse at a community running event in June. The three-time Olympian and former world champion shared the news and the details of her medical crisis in an extensive social media update, revealing that a genetic condition led to sudden cardiac arrest, forcing the end of her competitive career.

Simpson, who turns 40 this week, suffered cardiac arrest on June 16, 2026, after pacing a group of runners at the Sir Walter Running PopUp Mile in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was not originally scheduled to run but decided to participate to help a group of young athletes. After pacing the runners, she collapsed on the infield. Bystanders, including medical professionals, immediately began CPR and used an automated external defibrillator (AED) to restart her heart. According to Simpson, the AED was obtained from the vehicle of the parent of a young athlete whose own cardiac device had been purchased for his track team.

Simpson was transported to UNC Health Rex, where she suffered a second cardiac arrest and was placed on life support. Her condition required advanced...