This archive report was first published on 23 October 2019.
Marieke Vervoort, a Belgian Paralympic champion, made headlines in 2016 when she announced her intentions to end her life through euthanasia if her degenerative condition worsened her suffering.
On Tuesday, at the age of 40, Vervoort ended her life through euthanasia, as reported by Belgian media.
She had been diagnosed with a degenerative muscle disease at the age of 14, which caused constant pain, paralysis in her legs, and made it difficult for her to sleep.
Despite her condition, Vervoort pursued a sporting life with passion, competing in wheelchair basketball, swimming, and triathlons.
She won several gold and silver medals in the 2012 London Games and the 2016 Rio Games, but her health continued to deteriorate, and she suffered from epileptic attacks and deteriorating eyesight.
"I'm still enjoying every little moment. When the moment comes when I have more bad days than good days, then I have my euthanasia papers, but the time is not there yet," she said in 2016.
Belgium has a law allowing euthanasia, and Vervoort had signed the paperwork to be euthanised back in 2008.
