Diving queen threatened by detached retina again
(CRI)
2008-09-12 14:20
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Gold medalist diver Guo Jingjing during the visit of China gold medal winners' delegation to Hong Kong, Friday, Aug. 39, 2008. [File Photo: Xinhua]
Diving queen Guo Jingjing, who claimed two springboard gold medals in the Beijing Olympics, will undergo surgery in Hong Kong to repair a detached retina that resulted from her training.
A Hong Kong-based media outlet recently revealed that the diving diva is suffering from detached retinas caused by frequent pressure from hitting the water. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Fok Kai-kong, has arranged a surgery with renowned ophthalmologist Lam Shun-chiu.
Lam diagnosed Guo with symptoms of detached retinas in both eyes which could eventually lead to blindness, according to reports.
Guo Jingjing is currently resting at home in Beijing. She will make time for the surgery in the next two months before resuming training in November.
Since earning two silver medals in Sydney, Guo Jingjing has been undefeated in major competitions. She won double golds in Athens and continued the gold streak to pocket two more in Beijing. But her success has come at a price.
In 2001, she underwent surgery to repair a detached retina in her right eye, but spent only a few months out of the water. Since then, her eyesight has declined markedly.
Guo, 27, started her diving career at the age of 7. According to diving team doctor Li Fenglian, divers who start at an early age, before the eye is fully developed, are at greater risk for eye injuries.
The diving queen has often made tabloid headlines since she started dating Kenneth Fok Kai-kong. Now, Guo says she will only consider getting married after her eyes have healed.