Someone who was a seemly healthy girl was shocked earlier today that the swimming sensation, Rikako Ikee has been diagnosed with leukemia.
The swimmer complained of feeling "ill" and was quickly sent home from a swimming competition in Australia. Soon after, she was sent to the doctors to find out she was sadly diagnosed with leukemia. Ikee was completely shocked by this news and has come out with a statement that she will be taking some time off to focus on her health and family.
The 18-year-old, who was named Japanese Swimmer of the Year last month, according to an article written by James Masters. (CNN). She won six gold medals at last year's Asian Games and had been expected to challenge for honors at her home Olympics. She was "one of Japan's most talented swimmers and a contender for multiple medals at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics"(Masters). Ikee, who swam the fastest 100m butterfly and second fastest 50m butterfly in the world last year, has to now take a step back and focus on her health.
Being an athlete myself, this is a scary realization that we are not invincible and we have to take care of our bodies in such a special way. It saddens me to see such a young girl hopeful and exciting career be cut short, I wish her the best in this fight. I'm rooting for you.
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