YES, YOU CAN COMPETE IN SPORTS WITH ASTHMA

Many competitive athletes have asthma, including Olympic medal winners. Asthma is the most common chronic health condition among Olympic athletes (around 16.5%). Swimmer Greg Louganis had asthma in childhood but was encouraged by doctors to remain active to increase his lung capacity. Figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi was also diagnosed with asthma as a child, and the cold air on the rink made her symptoms worse. She and her doctors created an asthma management plan that allowed her to compete. Runner Noah Lyles has lung damage from childhood asthma but is managing his asthma and competing anyway. Jackie Joyner Kersee—considered one of the greatest of all time in the long jump—won five Olympic medals after being diagnosed with asthma in college.

P.S. Amy Van Dyken was diagnosed with exercise-induced asthma in childhood and says that swimming helped her learn to manage her asthma better. She went on to win six Olympic gold medals. 

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