Olympic fencer Nathalie Moellhausen faints amidst health battle
It was a dramatic event for fencer Nathalie Moellhausen during the Olympic Games in Paris. The Brazilian representative and two-time world champion is battling cancer. Moellhausen fainted during a match against the Canadian representative.
Athletes at the Olympic Games must face not only competition but also their health and endurance. The first bout at the Games was proof of this for the 38-year-old Brazilian. The fencer lost consciousness in the third round.
The athlete's team quickly came to her aid, seating her in a chair and providing support. The 38-year-old felt terrible but decided to return to the match. She ultimately lost to Canadian Ruien Xiao 11-15.
The athlete later gave an interview to one of the television stations. She admitted that she felt an immense pain that seemed unbearable.
I felt that my body couldn't move, and I only had a 5-minute break. Finishing the bout seemed impossible - she admitted.
2024 Olympics. She told journalists that she has cancer
Questioned by journalists, Moellhausen confessed that she has a tailbone tumour and has known about it since February. However, she decided not to undergo surgery to remove it, as doctors informed her that the tumour was not malignant. The fencer did not expect, however, that the tumour could cause such unbearable pain.
Nathalie Moellhausen was very eager to participate in the Olympic Games for the fourth time. However, her first bout was her last in this competition. She had to prioritize her health, and on Monday, July 29, she underwent surgery to remove the tumour. Now, she needs at least a month of recovery.
