Former Springbok long jumper Karen Botha has been diagnosed with Crohn's disease, Beeld newspaper reported on Monday.
“As a result of the disease I already have a thyroid that does not function and my body cannot retain any iron,” Botha told Beeld.
“I must receive blood transfusions as a result, or take intravenous iron supplements.”
Crohn's is an incurable inflammatory bowel disease.
Botha, who is married to former Springbok rugby player Naas Botha, said some of the treatment she had received had given her an enlarged liver.
“The sores on my intestine are bleeding and that is where the disease is life threatening.”
Karen, who said she was receiving tremendous support from her husband and three daughters, would be forced to wear a colostomy bag if the symptoms were not monitored regularly.
“I'm not afraid, even though I am uncertain what the future holds for me,” she said.
Karen, who competed at the 1992 Olympic Games, set a South African long jump record of 6.85 metres in March 1990 which stood for more than 17 years. – Sapa