Sir, - Thankfully, Sonia O'Sullivan is now getting medical attention from Dr Joe Cummiskey and his team for her viral illness, which has spread, systematically.
In retrospect, her handlers may reflect on her inadequate preparation for the Olympics. In not choosing to base herself in the Olympic Village, she missed out on the camaraderie and spirit of her fellow Irish athletes. She also may not have been acclimatised to the humidity and high temperatures specific to Atlanta (surely much hotter than Philadelphia). Also, it was noticeable after her win in the heat of the 5,000m how much she was drenched in sweat. As Gary O'Toole said, she was welter than Michelle when she climbed out of the pool.
The stress endured by Sonia before and after the race undoubtedly weakened her resistance to infection by a direct, quantifiable effect on her immune system. This allowed herpetic infection to take hold, as manifested by the lesions on her lips with subsequent systemic manifestations.
As everyone knows, viral illnesses are resolved by rest and rehydration and not by running, as the body must divert all its resources towards' activating its immune system to fight the infection. Had Sonia been thoroughly investigated by the medical team before her first race and had been screened for viral or other illnesses, it may have been possible to initiate treatment earlier.
In conclusion, most illnesses affect both mind and body and are therefore both psychological and physiological in aetiology. Consequently, in treatment a holistic approach is essential. - Yours, etc.,
Kinvara Avenue,
Navan Road,
Dublin 7.