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Olympic Silver Medalist Racewalker Jonathan Hilbert Pauses 2026 Season After Severe Depression Returns

The decision centers long-term health over competition.

Overview

  • Hilbert, who disclosed Sunday on Instagram that his depression has returned, will not compete for the rest of 2026.
  • He said he is back in therapy, is taking medication, and has a diagnosis of a severe depressive episode.
  • He reported rising symptoms since January and said he first tried to push through training before choosing to pause to protect his long-term health.
  • The 31-year-old racewalker won Olympic silver in the 50 km walk at Tokyo 2021 and had earlier spoken about post-Olympic depression while he kept racing.
  • Coverage noted his call to stop hiding weakness in elite sport and included suicide-prevention resources, underlining the gravity of his case.