Beth Dobbin opens up on devastating impact of ME illness as Olympic sprinter now spends 22 hours a day in bed

Former Great Britain Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin has revealed the devastating impact of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME), saying she now spends more than 22 hours a day in bed. The 32-year-old has left her home only five times this year and can suffer severe crashes after even short conversations or basic activities.Dobbin, who competed for Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics, has spoken publicly about her condition despite knowing the interview itself could worsen her health. She hopes her story will raise awareness of ME and help people understand the seriousness of an illness that has changed almost every part of her life.Beth Dobbin says ME has taken away her independenceBeth Dobbin said even a simple trip to the doctor can leave her bedridden for months. She now only gets out of bed to eat and use the bathroom.“I’ve done little things like attend a blood test at the doctors and been in bed for months after. So doing this interview, chatting away for 30 minutes, that could have an impact on me in 2027. But I felt like it was really important to do that to get the message out”, she said per BBC.ME is a chronic condition that can cause severe fatigue, pain, sleep problems and difficulties with thinking and memory. For Dobbin, even bright lights, loud sounds or conversations can trigger a crash. These episodes can last for days or, in severe cases, months.She added, “It’s life-decimating like I can’t even put into words,” she says. “I feel like I’ve lost everything. I have still got my family, but I’ve lost my independence, my health, the ability to work, the ability to exercise.”Dobbin believes her illness began after she had Covid and glandular fever during the winter of 2021-22. At first, she noticed only small changes. She was sleeping more and her running times had dropped slightly.Her condition then became progressively worse. She competed at the World Championships, Commonwealth Games and European Championships in 2022, despite experiencing a range of symptoms.At the European Championships, Dobbin lost all feeling in her legs while in the starting blocks and false-started. She later described that period as her “year of hell”.After the championships, her health deteriorated further. She struggled to stand, slept for long periods and spent increasing amounts of time in bed.Several specialists eventually told her that she had ME.“I wish it was just fatigue, that would be a walk in the park,” she says. “It’s so much more than that. If I thought of fatigue in my top 20 symptoms it might just make the cut.”Instead, she says, it feels like her entire body “is shutting down; it feels like you are a few days from death”.Her family has also been deeply affected. Her father Jim and mother Jean have described their worry about her future, while her sister Faye will run the Yorkshire Marathon to raise money for ME Research UK.Dobbin remains hopeful that increased research into ME and long Covid will eventually lead to better treatment.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.