Why the Olympics may not be a realistic target for Sturridge
Ex-QPR midfielder George Kulcsar, who was struck by viral meningitis in 1999, says he would be surprised if Daniel Sturridge recovered from the illness in time to play in the Olympics.
Chelsea forward Sturridge is currently being treated at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington and believes he could yet take part in this summer’s Games.
But former Australia international Kulcsar thinks returning to full health for the start of the new Premier League season may be a more realistic target for the 22-year-old.
“It affects everything; your balance, your fitness – all sorts. You get better, but for an initial period it takes a lot out of you.”
Kulcsar told West London Sport: “I’m not a medical professional but it does seem unlikely to me that he’ll be right for the Olympics given that it’s so close.
“Having said that, every kind of viral meningitis is different in terms of its severity, and he’s a fit lad who I’m sure will be back to full health pretty soon.
“It’s just that the Olympics are only a few weeks away and I’d have to say, after what I went through with viral meningitis, I’d be really surprised if he was able to play that soon.
“In my case I lost seven kilos in weight and when I went back to the training ground I could hardly jog – let alone run – and like him I was a fit guy.”
Viral meningitis, although debilitating, is less serious than the bacterial strain of the disease, which is potentially life-threatening.
A number of current and former footballers have suffered from viral meningitis, including Lee Sharpe and Ian Rush.
And while Kulcsar, who now lives in New South Wales, believes the Olympics may come too soon for Sturridge, he has no doubt the player will soon be firing on all cylinders.
He said: “He’ll get over it. You can make a good recovery from it without any long-term effects whatsoever.
“A few footballers have had it down the years, and after a period of rest you’re ready to go again.
“I do think though that the coming season is probably a more realistic target than the Olympics.
“He’ll be fine when he comes back for Chelsea, no doubt about that, but for a while viral meningitis does hit you pretty hard.
“It affects everything; your balance, your fitness – all sorts. You get better, but for an initial period it takes a lot out of you.
“I wish the guy all the best – and obviously his doctors will know a lot more about his condition than me – but I’d be very, very surprised if he’s ready for the Olympics.”
See also: Sturridge could still play in Olympics
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