Japanese Olympian Rikako Ikee has started a website to document her battle against leukemia, as reported by the Japanese news outlet the Mainichi. The website includes a letter of appreciation to her fans for the support they have offered during her treatment.
Ikee shared her leukemia diagnosis back in February following a medical emergency at a training camp in Australia. The diagnosis and the start of necessary treatment prevented Ikee from competing in Japan’s qualifying meet for the 2019 World Championships in South Korea.
According to a translated version of Ikee’s letter, the 18-year old’s treatment has been “going smoothly” despite the long period of hospitalization that has been required to fight the disease.
“Honestly speaking, I sometimes become discouraged. However, I feel a surge of gratitude as a result of all the encouraging words I have received, and I promise myself I will not be defeated and will endure until I am able to overcome my illness.”
In the subsequent months since her diagnosis, Ikee has mainly been updating fans via her Twitter account and has said she has not given up on the possibility of competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.
Rikako Ikee is the national record holder in the 50, 100, and 200 free and 50 and 100 fly, and was named the MVP of the 2018 Asian Games after winning six gold medals, all in record time.
You can visit Ikee’s website here.