The fear factor
You report that Emma Raducanu pulled out of Wimbledon “after experiencing ‘breathing difficulties’” (“How teen stars are taking the sporting world by storm”, News, last week). In fact, she experienced breathing difficulties. Whatever their cause (and Raducanu herself has explained that she had been overwhelmed by events), her symptoms were real. They do not deserve to be belittled by inverted commas, suggesting that her physical symptoms did not exist.
Anyone who has experienced proper fear – simply standing on a diving board or waiting to walk on to a school stage – will know that psychological stress produces physical effects. The fact that such symptoms are a response to a difficult situation does not make them less real or important and makes it all the more impressive that Raducanu has subsequently channelled her emotions to such a magnificent effect.
Dr Lucy Pollock
Taunton, Somerset
Comment & Analysis
en-gb
2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z
2021-09-19T07:00:00.0000000Z
https://guardian.pressreader.com/article/282325388107941
Guardian/Observer