Breaking News: Martina Navratilova hospitalized after Kilimanjaro climb attempt
Earlier today, tennis legend and former World Number 1 Martina Navratilova was hospitalized in Kenya, Africa, after a failed attempt to climb the highest peak in the country. She had been assisted down the mountain by porters as
fast as possible before being taken to the Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. Doctors have assessed and treated her for fluid accumulation in her lungs, a common phenomenon, due to difficult weather conditions and high altitudes. The 54-year-old former
tennis pro is expected to make full recovery.
Navratilova was diagnosed by Nairobi Hospital’s Dr David Silverstein, a cardiology consultant and an expert in internal medicine, as having high altitude pulmonary edema. The doctor stated,
“It is potentially dangerous when someone is at high altitude, but once brought down, recovery is quick.” When asked about Navratilova, he answered positively, “Martina is doing well and will continue to do well.”
Last weekend, Martina Navratilova told The Associated Press that she had never climbed higher than twelve thousand feet above sea level. She also added that she was, in her own words,
“petrified” of not being able to complete the climb, “because then the whole world will know”.
She was dejected after being unable to finish the climb, and issued a statement saying,
“I’m disappointed not to be able to complete this amazing journey. It was something that I wanted to do for so long but it was not to be.” She had attempted the climb for charity and media publicity for Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, and had intended
to fire off a few tennis balls from the summit.
The 18-time Grand Slam singles titles winner had reached almost fifteen thousand feet when she was forced to give up and turn back. She had been with 26 other people, trying to reach the summit for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
The team had started the 19,340-foot trek on Monday and faced heavy snowstorms and poor visibility for much of their climb. The rest of the team continued the climb without Navratilova and it is expected to arrive at the peak on Saturday, if the climb goes
according to schedule.
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