Asthma

The Special Report mentions -

(i) inhaler preventers that help prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm (when airflow to the lungs is reduced due to narrowing and closing of the airways in association with exercise) if taken before sport; and

(ii) "relievers" (bronchodilators) which prevent asthma symptoms if taken before exercise.

However, the Special Report -

(a) fails to mention that many athletes including Dawn Fraser, Kieran Perkins, Mark Spitz, Alison Streeter aka "Queen of the Channel", Jan Ullrich, Haile Gebrselassie, Paula Radcliffe, Emma Snowsill, all suffer from Asthma yet became world class athletes; and

(b) gives no encouragement to people suffering from Asthma to exercise to strengthen/develop their cardio vascular.

Many athletes who suffer from asthma have won Olympic medals. The condition is no bar to sporting success. The British marathon runner Paula Radcliffe was diagnosed with Asthma at 14 and keeps the condition under control with medication. Paul Scholes, the England footballer, found out he had Asthma at the age of 21. David Beckham has also suffered with it, as did former English fast bowler, Darren Gough. The International Olympic Committee is concerned at the rise in athletes claiming to be asthmatic – from 9 per cent in the 1980s to 21 per cent at the 2000 Olympics.

Emeritus Professor Alan Morton … an asthmatic was a world class rugby player who at 67 still plays touch rugby, tennis, swims and walks his dog Alan Morton said that about 11 per cent of Australia’s Olympic athletes were asthmatic, including Dawn Fraser and Kieran Perkins. That’s indicative of the percentage of Australians who suffer asthma, one of the highest incidences in the world.

“Even if exercise provokes an asthma attack, it must become part of the management of the disease. It’s important for asthmatics, just like anybody else, to exercise regularly,” Alan Morton said.

Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, 34, who holds the world marathon record and two Olympic titles for the 10,000 metres, suffers from asthma.

10 world class athletes with Asthma which include Mark Spitz, Paula Radcliffe and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.

American athletes who are Asthmatics.

Star Athletes With Asthma

Emma Snowsill, wins female triathlon gold medal at Beijing Olympics, suffers with asthma:
"Emma was cruising towards selection this year before a series of mystery performances. The problem was solved when Snowsill was diagnosed with asthma and treatment approved by drug officials had enabled her to roar back to the top of her sport."