England footballer Danny Rose has revealed ahead of the World Cup in Russia that he was diagnosed with depression.
Here, Press Association Sport looks at other sportsmen and women who have suffered from mental health issues.
Kelly Holmes (Athletics)
The 2004 Olympic 800 metres and 1500 metres champion suffered from depression after injuries left her feeling low just one year before her double Athens triumph. Holmes said: “A combination of not wanting to go through all the pressures and strains of being injured and wanting to achieve the best I could got on top of me. Basically what it led to was depression and self-harm.”
Marcus Trescothick (Cricket)
Hard-hitting Somerset batsman Trescothick abruptly returned home from England’s tour of India in February 2006 citing personal reasons. He never played Test cricket again after flying home from the 2006-07 Ashes tour in Australia and later described the anxiety that broods within him as “the beast that lives inside”.
Serena Williams (Tennis)
Williams has won 39 grand slam titles – 23 of them in singles – but the American revealed her off-court battle with depression in an interview with USA Today in 2011. “I was definitely depressed. I cried all the time. I was miserable to be around.”
Ian Thorpe (Swimming)
The five-time Olympic champion revealed in his 2012 autobiography ‘This is Me’ that he had considered suicide and had drunk “huge quantities” of alcohol to deal with “crippling depression”. Australian swimmer Thorpe said:
“It is like a weight is pressing down on you. There are days when you just can’t get out of bed. You cannot face the world.”
John Kirwan (Rugby Union)
The powerful winger scored 35 tries in 63 Tests for New Zealand between 1984 and 1994. He spoke about his depression in the books ‘All Blacks Don’t Cry’ and ‘Stand by Me’, saying: “I don’t wish it on anyone, it was my worst nightmare.” Kirwan is actively involved in mental health and depression awareness campaigns in New Zealand.”
Clarke Carlisle (Soccer)
The former Burnley and QPR defender has spoken openly about the powerful hold of his depression that led him to being convicted of drink-driving, going missing and attempting to commit suicide. “You get something that comes over… that actually rationalises the option of committing suicide,” he said. “You know that you must be at your lowest ebb.”
Oscar De La Hoya (Boxing)
De La Hoya won world titles in six weight classes and is considered as one of the greatest pound-for-pound fighters in boxing history. The now successful promoter has spoken about his use of drink and drugs to cope with his depression, saying: “I could put all my opponents in one ring and battle all of them, but this monster is going to be the toughest fight of my life.”
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