Arthritis Has Nothing on These Gold Medalists
For most people living with arthritis, the aches and pains associated with the disease can keep them from participating in the active games they love. But for these Olympic greats, arthritis hasn’t stopped them from continuing to live an active life. In fact, these athletes have not only learned how to participate in the sports they love while living with arthritis, but also have shown others that continued movement, in almost any form, can help manage the pain and inflammation caused by the disease.
Bruce Jenner (Gold Medalist, Decathlon, 1976)
While he is now most often recognized as the stepfather of the famous Kardashian sisters, Bruce Jenner was a well known Olympic athlete long before "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" ever hit the air waves. Jenner, who won gold for his outstanding performance in the decathlon in the 1976 Olympics, has been living with osteoarthritis for nearly 20 years. While he may not be competing in the Olympics these days, Jenner says he maintains an active lifestyle and has been outspoken about the arthritis prevention and control.
Dorothy Hamill (Gold Medalist, Figure Skating, 1976)
Dorothy Hamill is most recognizable as the gold medalist figure skater from the 1976 Olympics. She was 19 when she won the gold and although, now 35 years later, she lives with osteoarthritis of the neck, hips and knees, she is as strong as ever. "I still skate five days a week now, up to three hours or sometimes even more," Hamill says. "Although my body doesn’t do what it used to, the exhilaration is still there – the feeling of speed, the joy of moving to the music."
Read more about Dorothy Hamill’s battle with arthritis at ArthritisToday.org.
Bart Conner (Gold Medalist, Gymnastics, 1984)
Gymnast Bart Conner is best known for winning two gold medals during the 1984 Olympics. But most people don’t realize that Conner was diagnosed with osteoarthritis at the age of 22. Since his diagnosis, Conner has had a long career as a sports commentator and has been an active in helping others understand how to live and thrive with arthritis.
