?Lungs Hard to Breathe?- Andre De Grasse Faces Major Setback Ahead of World Athletics Championships Oregon 2022

Recovering from a disease can be taxing for the body. It is because fighting off diseases can take a toll on the body. As such, it needs time to heal after grappling with an infection. Andre De Grasse faced a similar situation just a month ahead of the World Athletics Championships.

But the infection the athlete was diagnosed with was no ordinary disease. He had contracted COVID-19, which has a long recovery time and leaves the body in a weakened state.

Will Andre De Grasse compete at the WCH Oregon22?

De Grasse had tested positive for the disease just before the Canadian Track and Field Championships. Therefore, the sprinter had to withdraw from the meet, serving as the qualifier for the World Championships. Moreover, he took a three-day bed rest and isolated himself.

However, the athlete can still compete at the WCH Oregon22 because of Canada?s policy for the meet. In the advent of?an injury?or illness, the country permits athletes to miss the national championships, given they have attained the qualification time at previous meets.

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Narrating the experience during an interview, the two-time Olympian?said,?“I was pretty down and out.”

The sprinter has returned to the tracks to practice for the upcoming Worlds in Eugene, Oregon. But the infection takes a significant toll on the body, and De Grasse is bearing the brunt of it. Reflecting on joining practice after recovering, the Olympian said, “And that first week of training when I went back, I didn’t feel great.?

He further added, ?Lungs, hard to breathe. It takes a lot to kind of get back. I had a cough, fatigue, things like that.”

Can the sprinter secure a position at the meet?

De Grasse is a strong contender in the 100m and 200m events at the upcoming World Championships. He had a strong start to the season even after coming out of a foot injury involving the right big toe and arch early on.

Previously, he clocked an impressive time of 10.05s in the 100m at the Oslo Diamond League to clinch gold at the event. However, being diagnosed with COVID-19 impeded his chance to compete at the national championships.

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With no recent events to compare the results with other athletes, only time will tell how he performs at the Worlds.