Health is wealth - You may have very often referred to this phrase, but its upshot is revealed in Luo Xuejuan’s life. The 23 year-old Olympic champion, is forced into retirement owing to heart disease.
Xuejuan was a Chinese swimmer - She represented the country at the 2004 Summer Olympics where she managed top performance in the 100 meter Breaststroke with her personal best being the fastest in the games i.e. setting a new Olympic record. She also won golds at Fukuoka and Barcelona World Championships in 2001 and 2003 respectively.
Off late, Luo has been struggling to stay fit because of which her form got affected and she was unable to defend her title at the World’s in 2005 - She under went a heart surgery that failed and was shown the way out of the national team.
Luo’s coach had been optimistic over her retirement though she has made an official confirmation to her retirement from swimming sports - Her exclusion is a blow for the Chinese medal contention at the Olympics scheduled in Beijing next year.
Read: Eurosport
