Rio 2016 Paralympics

Disability Sports

Belgian Paralympian Marieke Vervoort denies planning to kill herself after Rio

Belgian wheelchair racer Marieke Vervoort denies reports that she will kill herself after the Paralympics in Rio.
By , Staff Reporter
Filed:
Updated: Monday, September 12, 2016 at 14:36 UK

Belgian wheelchair racer Marieke Vervoort has denied reports that she intends to kill herself following the Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

The 37-year-old suffers from an incurable degenerative muscle disease, which causes pain and seizures, as well as paralysis in her legs.

It was reported in the Belgian media prior to the Games that Vervoot, who signed euthanasia papers in 2008, will end her own life once she has competed.

However, the Paralympian claimed in a press conference this week that she is "still enjoying" life and is not ready to die.

"When the moment comes when I have more bad days than good days, then I have my euthanasia papers, but the time is not there yet," Vervoort told reporters.

The athlete won a silver medal in the 400m final on Saturday.

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