Christian Eriksen from Denmark collapsed on the pitch during a Euro 2021 match between Denmark and Finland on live television due to a cardiac arrest. Paramount to saving Eriksen’s life was well-trained and well-equipped, swift medical care.
This is especially disheartening, since football fans all over the world have been watching him play for a number of years. He has got us through tough times, and is an incredible player as well as a person. A day when the whole footballing community stands together. A few pictures of his teammates as well as his wife crying before he received medical attention is heartbreaking.
An update from the medical centre was that Christian FaceTimed his teammates urging them to resume playing, and assuring the world that he is OK and on the path to recovery.
A callous behaviour was noted from the TV sponsors and broadcasters who, without regard to the injured continued broadcast and included pictures and videos of his distressed family as well. Something has to change here. In fact, a LOT of things have to change – and this warrants a separate post.
The extremely worrying part about this is the fact that, though athletes are monitored continuously during training, through cardiograms, blood pressure monitors, and heart rate sensors, etc, such situations aren’t identified earlier most of the times.
On the contrary, there have also been instances where heart related issues are identified in athletes and they’ve had to retire as a result of that.
I’m no medical expert but would like to know what the gap is, between identifiable and sudden situations such as this, and if at all they are anticipatable.
Most importantly, this unfortunate incident shows the strength, compassion and sportiveness of the footballing community.
