2023-05-26 02:57:00
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VonMelanie Gottschalk
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Marco Büchel was a daredevil and was one of the best ski racers. Now he’s battling an insidious disease away from the slopes.
Munich – Ski racer Marco Büchel raced onto the World Cup podium 18 times during his active career and was one of the greats in winter sports. In 2010, the now 51-year-old from Liechtenstein broke up and has since worked as an expert for ZDF, among other things. But recently he realized that something was wrong with him. He is now making his long-Covid illness public on Instagram.
| Framework Büchel | |
|---|---|
| Alter: | 51 years (November 4, 1971) |
| Discipline: | Downhill, Super-G, giant slalom, combination |
| Greatest successes: | 18x World Cup podium, silver at World Championships |
Büchel talks regarding his long-Covid illness
“For several months I felt that something was wrong with my health. Everything I learned and knew regarding my body is kind of completely out of whack. I mightn’t trust myself anymore,” he begins the long post on social media. He often had headaches, something that had never bothered him before. “I might not think clearly.”
He also has difficulty getting out of bed on many days. “The strength and power that I once possessed disappeared somewhere,” writes Büchel. Not good news for the 51-year-old, who loves the sport and lives to this day. As he reports, he cannot imagine “without being active, running around in nature, conquering mountain peaks and challenging myself”. However, his stamina and heart rate do not seem to allow all of these things at the moment.
Marco Büchel is still active following the end of his career.
© Frdric Dubuis/imago
Büchel struggles with depressive phases due to Long Covid
With the symptoms came depressive phases, but he didn’t show it to anyone. “I’ve often said to myself that it will go away.” But at some point he mightn’t take it anymore. “After multiple tests and analysis, the official diagnosis is Long-Covid or Post-Covid condition. It’s a relief to finally know. On the other hand, it’s terrifying not knowing if this will ever end. No one can tell,” he explains the change in his body.
Büchel knows it might be a lot worse. “I can still control my life, find joy in experiencing things and even doing sports,” he writes regarding his illness. “But in the end it just sucks!”
Numerous fans thank the former ski racer for the honest words and wish him all the best. Support also comes from numerous colleagues from the winter sports circus. Stars like Natalie Geisenberger or Miriam Neureuther and her husband Felix liked the post, among others. The two recently announced their family love on Instagram. (msb)
Rubric list image: © Fredric Dubuis/imago
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