17 Athletes that you didn’t know have Type 1 Diabetes

Having diabetes can create more obstacles to overcome when taking part in sport and exercise. There is more planning involved before and during exercise but this does not mean you cannot reach a peak level of performance.

There are people with Type 1 Diabetes all over the world who are competing at an elite professional level. These athletes learnt to overcome the added barriers and are an inspiration to the diabetic community. We have gathered a motivational list of athletes that have achieved athletic magnitude and that you may not know also have Type 1 Diabetes.

1. Henry Slade, Rugby Union. Diagnosed age 18

2. Ben Coker, Football (Soccer). Diagnosed age 15

3. Fiona Wylde, Stand-Up-Paddleboarding. Diagnosed age 17

4. Chris Pennell, Rugby Union. Diagnosed age 19

5. Nacho, Football (Soccer). Diagnosed age 12

6. Gary Hall Jr, Swimming. Diagnosed age 25

7. Jay Cutler, American Football. Diagnosed age 25

8. Nick Boynton, Ice Hockey. Diagnosed age 20

9. Kelli Kuehne, Golf. Diagnosed age 10

10. Antonia Goransson, Football (Soccer). Diagnosed age 25

11. Scott Allan, Football (Soccer). Diagnosed age 3

12. Scott Verplank, Golf. Diagnosed age 9

13. Mark Lowe, Baseball. Diagnosed age 25

14. Gary Forbes, Basketball. Diagnosed age 19

15. Sara Groenewegen, Softball. Diagnosed age 9

16. Cory Conacher, Ice Hockey. Diagnosed age 8

17. Aidan Broddell, Physique Athlete. Diagnosed age 10

Did you know??

Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists, triathletes and runners, spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes professional cycling team. The team’s mission is to inspire, educate and empower people affected by diabetes.

Team Novo Nordisk is the first professional cycling team to be comprised completely of riders living with type 1 diabetes. All riders, including Javier Mejías, Andrea Peron, Martijn Verschoor, and several of the team’s staff, including Phil Southerland and VP of Marketing Matt Vogel, are living with diabetes.