Former British Olympic sprinter Beth Dobbin has revealed the extent of the impact Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) has had on her life, saying the condition has left her bedbound for more than 22 hours a day.
The 32-year-old represented Great Britain at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, aged 27. However, she now spends most of her day in bed and generally gets up only to eat or use the bathroom.
Dobbin retired from athletics earlier this year after revealing that she was dealing with a serious, life-changing health condition. In an interview with BBC Sport, she described the effect the illness has had on her health, independence and ability to work.
“It’s life-decimating like I can’t even put into words,” she said. “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.”
Everyday Activities Can Trigger Prolonged Crashes
Dobbin explained that even simple activities, including talking to someone or attending a medical appointment, can trigger a worsening of her symptoms, commonly referred to as a crash.
These episodes can last for months, leaving her with further limitations on what she can do.
She said she had managed to leave her home on only five occasions during 2026. Even sitting upright for an extended period can worsen how she feels, meaning she often prefers to remain propped up in bed.
“Even things like sitting up for a prolonged period of time can take it out of me so I prefer to be just propped up in bed, and that doesn’t mean I feel fine,” she explained.
“It doesn’t get rid of my symptoms, but it makes them less hellish.”
Dobbin also described the condition as making her feel as though her entire body was shutting down, saying the experience could leave her feeling as if she were only days away from death.
Health Problems Began After Covid and Glandular Fever
Dobbin traced the beginning of her health problems to the winter of 2021–22, when she tested positive for Covid twice and also suffered from glandular fever.
At the time, she did not immediately realise how unwell she was, despite noticing symptoms such as soreness and increased sleep. Her athletic performance had also begun to decline, but further tests failed to provide clear answers.
Her condition worsened during a demanding period in 2022, when she competed at the Commonwealth Games, European Championships and World Championships.
She later described that period as a “year of hell”, as she struggled with soreness, dizziness, sleep problems and a painful throat while continuing to compete.
European Championships Marked a Difficult Turning Point
The illness also affected Dobbin’s performance on the track. At the European Championships, she false-started after losing feeling in her legs while positioned on the starting blocks.
After the championships, she took an extended break to recover. However, rather than improving, her symptoms continued to accumulate.
“When the Europeans had finished, I had this huge rest and the symptoms were just piling on,” she said.
“Things were getting worse and worse. I was struggling to stand up, I was sleeping loads, in bed all the time.”
Dobbin eventually returned to training after six weeks of rest but managed only three weeks before struggling again.
She said doctors were surprised that her health had not improved despite the viruses occurring months earlier.
What Is Myalgic Encephalomyelitis?
Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, commonly known as ME, is a long-term condition that can affect different parts of the body. The NHS identifies extreme tiredness as its most common symptom.
Other symptoms can include problems with thinking and memory, brain fog, insomnia, nausea, headaches and pain. The severe fatigue associated with the condition does not improve with rest.
There is currently no cure or specific treatment for ME.
The condition is also commonly referred to as chronic fatigue syndrome, but Dobbin said she does not feel that description adequately reflects what she experiences.
She explained that fatigue would rank only among her top 20 symptoms, highlighting the range of difficulties she faces beyond tiredness alone.
Dobbin Describes a Bleak Outlook for the Future
Asked about what lies ahead, Dobbin said her outlook remained difficult.
“It’s very bleak, unfortunately,” she said.
However, she identified a possible source of hope in the increased medical attention surrounding conditions that can develop after Covid infections.
“The only positive thing really to say is that Covid happened six years ago now and it’s like the whole medical community has woken up,” she said.
“There will be something, I hope, in the future.”
Dobbin said she had chosen to speak publicly about her experience to raise awareness of ME, even though discussing the illness was not necessarily something she wanted to do.
She also highlighted the attention athletes can receive when speaking about health problems, saying: “And unfortunately, athletes are believed a lot more than the average person.”
