Original version

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

Migrated podcast image for: Outlook

Outlook

Factual: Life Stories

True stories of ordinary people and the extraordinary events that have shaped their lives.

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Outlook: From intensive care to the Olympic podium

Magazines & Reviews

Picture: Keeth Smart at sabre semi-final at Beijing Olympic Games

14/07/2021 GMT

From intensive care to the Olympic podium

BBC World Service - Outlook, From intensive care to the Olympic podium

How fencer Keeth Smart won an Olympic medal months after being diagnosed with leukaemia

It was only four months before the Olympics when fencer Keeth Smart was diagnosed with leukaemia. How he managed to beat the disease and win an Olympic medal.

Keeth Smart is an all-time great in the US in the sport of fencing. He was the first American to be ranked the number one fencer in the world. But in 2004 he suffered a devastating defeat at the Olympics when he lost a medal by one point. So in 2008 he was determined to redeem his reputation. Months out from the games, he noticed that his gums and hands were bleeding. Keeth was rushed into intensive care and told he had a 50-percent chance of survival. How he beat leukaemia and ended up winning an Olympic medal. 

A short film has been made about Keeth's life called Stay Close. 

Picture: Keeth Smart at sabre semi-final at Beijing Olympic Games
Credit: OMAR TORRES/AFP/Getty Images

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Outlook

From intensive care to the Olympic podium

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

About BBC World Service