Notable sports stars and their journey with medical conditions

Caster Semenya - The South African runner was born with XY chromosomes, which gives her high levels of testosterone. She has battled opponents, as well as the International Association of Athletics Federations, who ultimately ruled that Semenya must undergo medical treatment to compete in future events. The ruling was widely criticized by many, including the World Medical Association.

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Venus Williams - Venus Williams has helped revolutionize tennis, with a whopping seven Grand Slam Singles wins.

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Venus Williams - In 2011, Williams revealed that she had been diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome, which can cause extreme fatigue and muscle pains. Despite this, she went on to win Olympic gold medals and Wimbledon titles.

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Lionel Messi - To many, Messi is the best soccer player in the world. However, you may not know about a serious health condition that could have stopped his career.

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Lionel Messi - Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency when he was just a child. Barcelona F.C. paid for his treatment as a teen, and he has since earned the nickname "Little Man."

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Muhammad Ali - Muhammad Ali is considered one of the best athletes ever, but battled a serious disease until his late years.

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Muhammad Ali - In 1984, "The Greatest" was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 1997, he set up the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, where the disease continues to be researched and treated.

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Martina Navratilova - Martina Navratilova is a tennis star, with a career spanning thirty years.

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Martina Navratilova - In April 2010, she went public about her breast cancer diagnosis. After surgery, the tumor was removed.

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Wilma Rudolph - Wilma Rudolph was once the fastest woman in the world. At the 1960 games, she won three gold medals in track and field. Not bad, considering she had been paralyzed by the poliovirus as a child.

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Wilma Rudolph - Of course, she recovered, but Rudolph's left foot had become deformed. By the time she was 12, she had already battled the measles, scarlet fever, and whooping cough. Still, that didn't stop her from becoming an Olympic champion.

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Tim Howard - Tim Howard has earned high praise as a goalkeeper. He has played for Premier League club Everton, as well as for the United States national team.

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Tim Howard - When he was nine, Howard was diagnosed with Tourette's, which is characterized by tics and involuntary actions. He is a patient-advocate for the disorder, and has opened up about his struggle in his memoir, 'The Keeper.'

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Lou Gehrig - Lou Gehrig is widely considered to be the first athlete who went public about their health condition.

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Lou Gehrig - "The Iron Horse" played for the New York Yankees from 1923 and 1939. His career was cut short due to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which became known worldwide. Some call ALS "Lou Gehrig's disease."

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Phil Mickelson - Mickelson, AKA "Lefty," is a pro golfer who has won three Masters titles. In 2010, he thought his career was all over after he started feeling pain in his joints.

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Phil Mickelson - The golfer was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. However, by treating the disease, Mickelson has still been able to compete at the highest level.

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Isaiah Austin - Austin rose to fame as a college basketball star, playing for Baylor University. He almost made it to the NBA in 2014, but was held back by a medical condition.

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Isaiah Austin - The player was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome the same year. After two years of treatment, he returned to playing basketball in 2016.

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Eric Berry - Eric Berry began his career with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive back in 2010.

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Eric Berry - In December 2014, Berry revealed that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. Thanks to medical treatment and plenty of support, he made a full recovery in just nine months.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Many consider Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be one of the best basketball players ever. In 2009, the NBA star announced that he was battling a deadly disease.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had chronic myeloid leukemia in November 2009. He has since become an advocate to raise awareness of the disease.

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Arthur Ashe - Ashe broke boundaries by becoming the first black tennis player to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open. However, his career was cut short by medical issues.

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Arthur Ashe - Ashe's career stalled in 1980, when he was diagnosed with a heart disease. Tragically, it didn't end there. The player announced that he had AIDS in 1992, and passed away just one year later. Despite not playing at a pro level until the end, he did a great deal of awareness and advocacy.

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Scott Hamilton - It's hard finding a figure skater who was as successful as Scott Hamilton. He won four consecutive U.S. and World championships, as well as an Olympic gold medal.

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Scott Hamilton - When he was a kid, Scott was diagnosed with a disorder that reduces the impact of nutrients. This gave him a small stature. Later in life, Hamilton was diagnosed with testicular cancer and brain cancer.

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee -

As one of the most decorated track athletes, Joyner-Kersee took home three Olympic golds, as well as multiple wins at World Championships.

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee -

Joyner-Kersee did all of that while suffering from asthma. She is one of the most famous athletes who overcame the inflammatory disease.

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Pat Summitt - Pat Summitt is a special kind of sporting star. She started off playing basketball for the UT Martin Skyhawks and the United States national team, and went on to coach for the Tennessee Lady Volunteers team.

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Pat Summitt -

Back in August 2011, Summitt announced that she had early-onset dementia. She retired from coaching one year later, and published a memoir about her struggles in 2013.

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Bronny James -

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Venus Williams - Venus Williams has helped revolutionize tennis, with a whopping seven Grand Slam Singles wins.

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Lionel Messi - To many, Messi is the best soccer player in the world. However, you may not know about a serious health condition that could have stopped his career.

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Lionel Messi - Messi was diagnosed with growth hormone deficiency when he was just a child. Barcelona F.C. paid for his treatment as a teen, and he has since earned the nickname "Little Man."

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Muhammad Ali - Muhammad Ali is considered one of the best athletes ever, but battled a serious disease until his late years.

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Muhammad Ali - In 1984, "The Greatest" was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. In 1997, he set up the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center, where the disease continues to be researched and treated.

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Martina Navratilova - Martina Navratilova is a tennis star, with a career spanning thirty years.

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Martina Navratilova - In April 2010, she went public about her breast cancer diagnosis. After surgery, the tumor was removed.

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Tim Howard - Tim Howard has earned high praise as a goalkeeper. He has played for Premier League club Everton, as well as for the United States national team.

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Lou Gehrig - Lou Gehrig is widely considered to be the first athlete who went public about their health condition.

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Phil Mickelson - Mickelson, AKA "Lefty," is a pro golfer who has won three Masters titles. In 2010, he thought his career was all over after he started feeling pain in his joints.

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Phil Mickelson - The golfer was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. However, by treating the disease, Mickelson has still been able to compete at the highest level.

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Isaiah Austin - Austin rose to fame as a college basketball star, playing for Baylor University. He almost made it to the NBA in 2014, but was held back by a medical condition.

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Isaiah Austin - The player was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome the same year. After two years of treatment, he returned to playing basketball in 2016.

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Eric Berry - Eric Berry began his career with the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs as a defensive back in 2010.

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Eric Berry - In December 2014, Berry revealed that he had been diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease. Thanks to medical treatment and plenty of support, he made a full recovery in just nine months.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Many consider Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be one of the best basketball players ever. In 2009, the NBA star announced that he was battling a deadly disease.

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Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - Abdul-Jabbar revealed that he had chronic myeloid leukemia in November 2009. He has since become an advocate to raise awareness of the disease.

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Arthur Ashe - Ashe broke boundaries by becoming the first black tennis player to win Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the Australian Open. However, his career was cut short by medical issues.

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Scott Hamilton - It's hard finding a figure skater who was as successful as Scott Hamilton. He won four consecutive U.S. and World championships, as well as an Olympic gold medal.

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee -

As one of the most decorated track athletes, Joyner-Kersee took home three Olympic golds, as well as multiple wins at World Championships.

Getty Images

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Jackie Joyner-Kersee -

Joyner-Kersee did all of that while suffering from asthma. She is one of the most famous athletes who overcame the inflammatory disease.

Getty Images

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Pat Summitt -

Back in August 2011, Summitt announced that she had early-onset dementia. She retired from coaching one year later, and published a memoir about her struggles in 2013.

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Notable sports stars and their journey with medical conditions

Were you aware that each of them has faced significant health issues?

13/11/24 | StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Athletes

It's not easy being the best. Muhammad Ali, Lionel Messi, and Venus Williams are seen as some of greatest athletes ever. That said, did you know that they have all suffered from serious medical conditions? That's right, many sports stars have battled illnesses, diseases, and medical conditions in general.

Intrigued? Get to know these brave and bold athletes in this gallery.