In her successful career as a freestyle aerialist Deidra Dionne has faced numerous hurdles. Now, at the age of 27, Dionne finds herself facing another life hurdle; this time a benign brain tumor on her right temporal lobe. It is a non-life threatening growth, but one that nonetheless is career ending for Dionne.
The tumor has the potential to cause seizures and despite her talent and love for her sport, that’s a risk Dionne isn’t willing to take.
“My heart is broken,” said Dionne in a news conference today, “I still have an incredible desire to be a part of the 2010 Olympics here in Vancouver, but the risk I would be taking might jeopardize my chance at a successful life following sport.
“I will miss my teammates and coaches but I truly believe I am passing the torch to a group of inspired, talented young women who will continue to push the limits of women’s aerials.”
Dionne is a veteran aerialist who has eight FIS Freestyle World Cup medals, two bronze World Championship medals and an Olympic bronze medal from the 2002 Games to her name. In the early season prior to the 2006 Games while competing in Australia she suffered a significant neck injury, which she eventually rebounded from to qualify for her second Games in Torino.
