We ran a story this morning on Diabetes News Hound about an Olympic skier with Type 1 diabetes that will be competing for the U.S. in the Winter Games next month in Vancouver. It got me to wondering who everyone thinks is the most famous athlete (past or present) with Type 1 diabetes?
You can check out the article here: Skier with Type 1 Diabetes to Compete for U.S. Olympic Team
You can also check out another interesting story here: New Blood Glucose Monitor Would Be a Breath of Fresh Air
I'll get this one out of the way and then say why I dislike him: Jay Cutler. Sure he's diabetic, but his on-the-field attitude is terrible. So he doesn't count.
I'd have to go with Doug Barnes - Bodybuilder / Strength Athlete. (
He's a former athlete, but I'd say Bobby Clarke was/is pretty famous...he played for the Philadelphia Flyers back in the day.
Gary Hall Jr and Adam Morrison
Michal Jelinski - rowing double scull - gold medalist from Beijing, Four times World champion - 2005. 2006, 2007 & 2009
http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/je/michal-jelinski-1.html
Zippora Karz - Former New York City Ballet dancer =)
Ron Santo from the Cubs. He was diabetic long before we had personal meters and insulin pumps!
Gary Hall Jr. I remember reading an article in Countdown for Kids a few years ago on Kris Freeman.
In Australia, the top T1D sports people I know of are:
Steve Renouf - Rugby League (retired)
Brett Stewart - Rugby League (current)
Rod Kafer - Rugby Union
Ron Santo. Of course the fact that I am a big Cubs fan doesn't hurt.