Overview
- Dobbin told BBC Sport on Friday that she now spends more than 22 hours a day in bed and has left her home only five times so far in 2026.
- Her health decline began after two COVID infections and glandular fever in winter 2021–22 and worsened through the 2022 competition season.
- After consultations with four or five specialists she was diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis, a chronic multisystem condition the NHS says has no cure or specific treatment.
- She reports that small exertions such as a blood test or a 30‑minute interview can trigger prolonged post‑exertional 'crashes' that leave her bedbound for months and forced her to retire from athletics earlier in 2026.
- By speaking publicly Dobbin aims to raise awareness of ME, highlight gaps in care for post‑viral illness, and press for more research and support linked to long COVID.