Former 1500m world champion Jenny Simpson has announced she will not return to competitive running after suffering a cardiac arrest during a track event in June. The 39-year-old American, a three-time Olympian, revealed the news in an Instagram post on Thursday, citing a heart condition that makes further running dangerous.
Collapse and diagnosis
Simpson collapsed while pacing a mile group at an event in North Carolina in June. She was given CPR at the scene and then rushed to hospital, where she was placed on life support due to complications with her heart and lungs. In her Instagram post, Simpson said she was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that triggered “dangerous heart rhythms that ultimately caused my heart to stop.”
“That chapter has ended,” she wrote, referring to her running career. “Thankfully, my story hasn’t.” Simpson now works in an executive role for running company Fleet Feet and says she still feels a strong connection to the sport.
A decorated career
Simpson represented the United States at three Olympics: Beijing 2008, London 2012, and Rio de Janeiro 2016. Her most notable achievement came in Rio, where she won bronze in the 1500m, becoming the first American woman to medal in that event. She was the 2011 world champion in the 1500m and added silver medals at the 2013 and 2017 world championships. Over her career, she claimed 11 US titles before retiring from elite running in 2024.
Message to supporters
In her post, Simpson addressed fans directly, saying: “You might be wondering what would be the right thing to say to me after an event like this. Please do not say that you’re sorry or that you feel bad for me. If it is true in your heart, please tell me you’re glad that I’m here. That’s how I feel – so glad that I’m still here.”
Simpson’s announcement closes a remarkable chapter in American middle-distance running, with her health now taking priority over competition. She remains active in the sport through her role at Fleet Feet.
