British athletics legend Roger Black has bravely shared his experience of undergoing open heart surgery, a procedure he faced to tackle a heart condition that has been part of his life since he was 11 years old. Now 58, the Olympic silver medalist took to Instagram to reveal that he recently had surgery to replace his aortic valve and repair the aortic root.

Black’s journey with a bicuspid aortic valve began in childhood, leading him to receive consistent medical care from the cardiac team at Southampton General Hospital for nearly five decades. Although he had been living without significant symptoms, his annual check-up last summer revealed a decline in his heart health. He described the news as shocking but acknowledged that he had always been aware that this moment would eventually come. Remarkably, he never allowed his heart condition to overshadow his achievements in sports.

Despite his health challenges, Black’s athletic career is marked by notable successes, including a silver medal in the men’s 400m at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics and gold medals in the 4x400m relays for Great Britain at the world championships in Tokyo in 1991 and Athens in 1997.

In his heartfelt message, Black expressed his deep appreciation for the hospital staff who supported him throughout his surgery and recovery. He also highlighted the unwavering support of his wife, Jules, during this challenging time. One particularly poignant moment from his recovery was the milestone of walking to the top of St Martha’s Hill with Jules, a place that holds special significance for them.