5 Athletes With Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a competitor that never sleeps. To combat it effectively, professional athletes must adhere to a stringent diet and training routine. These athletes with type 1 diabetes were diagnosed before or during their careers.

Despite having type 1 diabetes, they continued to compete in global competitions, climb mountains, and win gold medals. Check out this list of athletes who inspire people worldwide.

Borja Mayoral

Borja Mayoral – Soccer – Spain

Borja Mayoral, a 22-year-old soccer player for Real Madrid, was diagnosed at an early age. He explains, "I was informed I had diabetes when I was five years old. I could hardly have understood the meaning of the word at that age. 

In 2007, he began playing for Real Madrid's youth team, which marked the start of his soccer career. Mayoral, who played as a striker, scored in each of Spain's three games to qualify for the 2015 European Under-19 Championship. He has 31 career goals in all, with many more probably in the works.

Jay Cutler

Jay Cutler  – Football – United States

Jay Cutler, an NFL quarterback, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the middle of his career. While playing for the Denver Broncos, Cutler disclosed in May 2008 that he had type 1 diabetes. That season, he set career highs in throwing yards (4,526), passing touchdowns (25) and interceptions (21). (25). He also participated in the Pro Bowl. Peyton Manning, Nick Mangold, and Kris Dielman shoved Cutler into a pool before the game, ruining his blood sugar monitor. However, it was all in good spirit, and a replacement was located before the game.

Antonia Göransson

Antonia Göransson – Soccer – Sweden

Antonia Göransson, a talented winger who can play with either her right or left foot, was forced to retire in 2015 after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In the American National Women's Soccer League at the time, she had a contract to play for the Seattle Reign FC. 

Against the advice of her doctor, she was adamant and went to Seattle. But the visit was brief, and she quickly started to feel worse. After many weeks, Göransson traveled back to Sweden. She joined a local team back home to stay near to her loved ones and friends while treating type 1 diabetes.

Charlie Kimball

Charlie Kimball – IndyCar Racing – United States

Charlie Kimball, an IndyCar driver, had major reservations about returning to racing after learning he had type 1 diabetes at the age of 22. The prognosis was made in 2007. If Kimball would ever be able to race again, he questioned his doctor. 

The doctor's response was comforting, according to Kimball: "You know, driving a racing car shouldn't be any different. There are fantastic individuals doing amazing things all around the globe with diabetes." Kimball returned to the circuit six months later and placed second in his maiden race.

Adam Duvall

Adam Duvall – Baseball – United States

The left fielder for the Atlanta Braves, Adam Duvall, has been beating type 1 diabetes one game at a time. The now 30-year-old baseball pitcher exhibited some typical symptoms when he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2012, including weight loss (20 pounds in two months), weakness, and frequent urination. He has been having five to six nighttime urination awakenings. 

Duvall was promoted to the major leagues by the San Francisco Giants two years after being informed that he had the illness. He was acquired by the Cincinnati Reds through trade in 2015. He hit his first grand slam of his career with the Reds in 2017. In the 11th inning of a game against the Diamondbacks the same year, he recorded his first walk-off victory of his career. The Braves acquired him in a trade.