Polish track cyclist Mateusz Rudyk: 'With diabetes, nothing is impossible'

Can athletes with diabetes perform at a high level? Tennis legends Arthur Ashe and Billie Jean King, both affected by type 2 diabetes, proved that it's not only possible to compete but also to win titles.

More recently, athletes with type 1 diabetes — whose bodies are completely unable to produce insulin, unlike those with type 2 — have competed at the Olympics in a variety of sports, from swimming and water polo to taekwondo and gymnastics.

One of the latest success story is Polish track cyclist Mateusz Rudyk. The 29-year-old sprint and keirin specialist, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12, has competed in the last two Olympic Games and earned multiple individual medals at both the World and European Championships.

“I am proud of what I have achieved in cycling, and I haven’t said my last word yet,” Rudyk told Olympics.com via email, after receiving an award from the Marshal of the Lublin Province, Jaroslaw Stawiarski, recognising his achievements in cycling.

“I’m very happy to be appreciated for my sporting results. Receiving this award confirms that I’m doing my job well and makes my country, sponsors, team, and everyone with diabetes proud.”

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