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Basketball: Germany's World Cup-winning coach Herbert was dangerously ill
🇩🇪 Germany /Health & Science

Basketball: Germany's World Cup-winning coach Herbert was dangerously ill

From Die Zeit · (13m ago) German Positive tone

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Gordon Herbert, the coach who led Germany to the 2023 Basketball World Cup title, experienced severe health issues last year, including myocarditis.
  • The 67-year-old Canadian coach revealed in an interview that he was bedridden with heart problems, fearing for his life.
  • Herbert, who coached the German national team from 2021 to 2024, has since recovered and will begin coaching Canada's national team in July.

The triumphant narrative of Germany's 2023 Basketball World Cup victory, a moment of immense national pride, was nearly overshadowed by a personal health crisis faced by its architect, Gordon Herbert. In a candid interview, the celebrated Canadian coach revealed the terrifying extent of his health struggles last year, including a severe bout of myocarditis that left him questioning his survival.

I was lying in bed with myocarditis and another heartbeat and wondering if I could get through this.

— Gordon HerbertDescribing the severity of his health crisis.

Herbert described being confined to bed for nearly two and a half weeks, sleeping 16-17 hours a day, and grappling with the very real possibility of succumbing to his condition. He recounted the diagnosis of myocarditis and two malfunctioning heart valves, a stark contrast to the vigorous presence he projected on the sidelines. This period, which occurred while he was coaching FC Bayern, was marked by the lingering effects of COVID-19 and the subsequent cardiac complications.

I know people have died from this.

— Gordon HerbertExpressing the life-threatening nature of his condition.

Reflecting on his ordeal, Herbert acknowledged the gravity of his situation, noting, 'I know people have died from this.' He credited the medical team for detecting an additional heartbeat, which led to his temporary withdrawal from coaching and allowed for timely intervention. Despite the severity, he emphasized that he ultimately felt fortunate that the issue was identified and treated.

I was lucky because the doctors discovered an additional heartbeat and took me out of circulation.

— Gordon HerbertExplaining how his condition was detected and treated.

Now, thankfully, Herbert has made a full recovery. His doctors have assured him his heart is as healthy as that of a 40-year-old, a significant reassurance after such a harrowing experience. As he prepares to take on the role of head coach for the Canadian national team this July, his journey serves as a powerful reminder of the personal sacrifices and unseen battles that elite athletes and coaches often face, far from the roar of the crowd.

It was a difficult time. I couldn't imagine that COVID could be so dangerous.

— Gordon HerbertReflecting on the impact of COVID-19 on his health.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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