Olympic marathon runner given the devastating news that his career is over after routine health check

Olympic marathon runner Michael Somers has revealed the devastating news that his high-level sporting career is over following a routine health check-up.

The 30-year-old, who competed in the marathon at the Olympic Games at Paris 2024, has been forced to retire following the discovery of scar tissue on his heart muscle.

Somers had competed across numerous long-distance disciplines for Belgium, from the 1500m right up to the marathon.

Somers reveals heart diagnosis

Somers posted the sombering news in a video on his Instagram page:

“Hello everyone, I have some news to share. I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve received bad news a few weeks ago regarding my heart during a routine check-up.

“They discovered scar tissue on my heart muscle which means that I have to stop immediately with high-level sports, with high-intensity sports – so my career is over.

“Right now I have far more questions than I have answers, but the conclusion remains the same every time. With the damage now present in my heart that high-level sports are impossible and that I will have to find a way to respect and accept this decision.

“Regarding my future, I can say very little about it at this moment, but what I do know is that the career I had is now over.”

Coming to terms with the news

In a further social media post he added:

“Sharing this news was the first step in accepting that this amazing part of my life has ended. This sport has given me more than I could ever imagine when I fell in love with it more than 12 years ago.

“I will try to give it all a place in the coming months, so my athletic career can get what it deserves: to become a fantastic memory that I will treasure forever.”