British swimmer Archie Goodburn diagnosed with inoperable brain tumours
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British swimmer Archie Goodburn has shared that he has received the news that he has brain tumors that cannot be removed through surgery.
Examinations carried out following the recent Olympic trials revealed that the 22-year-old athlete, who previously earned a bronze medal in the men's 50m breaststroke at the 2019 World Junior Swimming Championships in Hungary and has competed for Scotland at the Commonwealth Games, has three sizable oligodendrogliomas in his brain. These are a rare type of spreading and worsening brain cancer that cannot be surgically removed.
Goodburn shared on his official Instagram account that his life took a major turn six weeks ago when he was told he has three brain tumors.
In December 2023, my workouts started getting disrupted by strange occurrences. These incidents, which were originally believed to be hemiplegic migraines, would happen while I was pushing myself during intense training sessions.
I would be left feeling weak and numb on my left side, filled with fear and nausea, and experiencing intense deja vu. I have since learned that these episodes were actually seizures.
The seizures became more severe and happened more often as the 2024 Olympic trials in April approached, which was something I had been working towards and preparing for nearly all my life.
"I was focused on reaching my goals, so I kept practicing even during the setbacks. I came close to making the Olympic team, finishing third in an event that only had two spots available."
After dealing with the challenges, I delved further into the root cause of these attacks. In May, an MRI uncovered the dreaded truth I had started to suspect.
The swimmer from Scotland came in third place in the 100-meter breaststroke event at the British trials, following Adam Peaty and James Wilby.
Although surgery was the first choice, Goodburn is optimistic that radiotherapy and chemotherapy will be successful.
He mentioned: "One positive aspect of this diagnosis is that oligodendrogliomas typically have a better response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy compared to other types of serious brain tumors. These tumors tend to grow slowly and are likely to have been present for many years."
I am young, in good shape, and have an amazing group of friends who support me, a wonderful family, and a great girlfriend.
I am committed to facing this challenge head-on, staying optimistic, and continuing to be myself, Archie.
