In an Instagram post on Thursday<\/a>, the 39-year-old said she was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that triggered \u201cdangerous heart rhythms that ultimately caused my heart to stop.\u201d<\/p>\nShe said the condition means it would be dangerous for her to return to running. \u201cThat chapter has ended,\u201d she said. \u201cThankfully, my story hasn\u2019t.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simpson works in an executive role for running company Fleet Feet and says she still feels a strong connection to her sport.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou might be wondering what would be the right thing to say to me after an event like this,\u201d she wrote. \u201cPlease do not say that you\u2019re sorry or that you feel bad for me. If it is true in your heart, please tell me you\u2019re glad that I\u2019m here. That\u2019s how I feel \u2013 so glad that I\u2019m still here.\u201d<\/p>\n
Simpson represented the United States at three Olympics in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, winning bronze in the 1500m in 2016. At the time, she was the first American woman to medal in the event.<\/p>\n
She was the 2011 world champion in the 1500m and later won silver medals in the event at the 2013 and 2017 world championships. She claimed 11 US titles before retiring from elite running in 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n