The media countdown to next month’s Summer Games has begun, complete with dire predictions about how Beijing’s smog will impact the Olympic athletes. In the wake of questions about whether asthmatic athletes will be able to handle these conditions, it seems appropriate that today is the birthday of Kristi Yamaguchi, an Olympic Gold Medalist who also suffers from asthma.

In 1992, Kristi Yamaguchi won the Gold Medal in figure skating. Jackie Joyner-Kersee won six Olympic Medals, including three Gold Medals.Mark Spitz was the most successful Olympian of all time, winning 7 gold medals at the 1972 Summer Games. While it is a fact that all three of these athletes overcame asthma on their way to victory, to appreciate that accomplishment one needs to understand the challenges that asthma presents for an athlete.

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Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition in which a person’s airways become narrowed, making it difficult to breathe. Asthma is typically characterized by coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.? When allergens or environmental factors cause a spike in these symptoms, it is known as an asthma attack.

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Vigorous physical activity can also cause an asthma attack.? During an asthma attack, the large airways…called bronchi…react to a trigger, like an allergen, with contracting spasms. The bronchi inflame and produce mucus, further narrowing the airways and leading to the symptoms of asthma.? Attacks may last just a few minutes, or can linger over several days.

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Asthma, at best, makes breathing more difficult, and at worst, is debilitating. Given that each of these athletes was up against world class competitors, their victories are remarkable, and a testament to our ability – all of our ability – to overcome the health obstacles which confront us.

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Related Links:

• Video: Exercising With Asthma (Source: illumistream health)
• Kristi Yamaguchi (Source: Wikipedia)
• Beijing Smog Keeps Olympians at Bay (Source: msnbc)