Team GB Olympics presenter Charlie Webster 'fighting for life' with rare strain of malaria in Rio hospital

Seriously ill: Charlie Webster in hospital in Rio de Janeiro
Twitter/Charlie Webster
Fiona Simpson18 August 2016

TV presenter Charlie Webster is said to be fighting for her life in hospital after cycling 3,000 miles from London to Rio.

The 33-year-old became unwell on August 6 after watching the Olympic opening ceremony, a few days after she arrived in the Brazilian capital.

She was admitted to hospital where doctors thought she was dehydrated following the gruelling six-week Ride to Rio challenge.

However, the former Sky Sports News presenter took a turn for the worst after developing a severe complication from a bacterial infection.

Fallen ill: Team GB presenter Charlie Webster

The former ITV sports presenter had cycled 1,600 miles from Recife in the north-east of the country to Rio de Janeiro in 39 days in a bid to raise cash for a breast cancer charity.

She has worked as one of Team GB's official presenters during the Games and has also worked with fellow ambassadors from other broadcasters.

In hospital: Charlie Webster was initially well enough to update fans on her condition
Twitter/Charlie Webster

Ms Webster appeared to be in good health when she arrived August 4 and was due to stay on in Rio as part of Team GB's Great Britons campaign alongside Nick Grimshaw and Jodie Kidd.

The marathon runner was initially well enough to update fans on her hospital stay.

Update: A social media post about Charlie Webster's condition

She posted a picture of herself hooked-up to a drip on Twitter and wrote: "6 weeks on the road ends in this. Very rough day, severe dehydration & infection - 2 drips & antibiotics #Rio".

Ms Webster remained positive, telling fans on August 9: "I'm getting there ... awful few days with serious infection #Rio."

Charity event: Charlie Webster in London
PA

However, a statement posted on her Facebook and Twitter profiles on August 11 revealed her condition had worsened and said the presenter’s illness had “been diagnosed as a severe complication caused by a bacterial infection”.

It said: “What was initially thought as dehydration, caused by her riding to Rio, has since been diagnosed as a severe complication caused by a bacterial infection.

"Charlie is receiving great care and we will update when we can."

According to the Sun she is now in an induced coma and on life support after her kidneys reportedly stopped functioning.

The presenter's mum, brother and manager are said to have flown to Brazil to be by her side.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are providing support to a British woman who is in hospital in Rio."

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