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The Winter Olympics are underway! Did you know which athletes have used stem cells to save their careers?
2022-02-15
On February 10 at noon, a Swiss athlete was injured during the men's alpine combined speed skiing event, suffering an open fracture of the left forearm. After evaluation by the venue’s medical team, it was decided to deploy Beijing’s 999 medical transport helicopter for the rescue operation. The helicopter transported the injured athlete to the designated hospital in Yanqing District, Beijing, in just 8 minutes—saving more than 32 minutes compared to using a ground ambulance. This rapid response bought crucial time for the athlete’s life-saving treatment.
In the eyes of many, athletes enjoy robust physiques and significantly superior physical fitness compared to the average person. However, during prolonged high-intensity training or intense competition, injuries are almost inevitable. Conditions such as tendonitis, muscle strains, arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and even fractures frequently occur as occupational hazards in their line of work. In some cases, these injuries may even force athletes to prematurely end their careers.
With the rapid advancement of stem cell technology, more and more athletes are turning to stem cell therapy—and are already reaping remarkable results. Let’s take a look at which athletes have used stem cells to salvage their careers!
Star player Cristiano Ronaldo
According to Manolo Lama, a reporter for Spain's COPE radio, Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo suffered an injury during the 2016 match and was later diagnosed with a muscle fiber tear, raising concerns that he may be sidelined for some time.
After stem-cell therapy, Cristiano Ronaldo mentioned that his pain had completely disappeared—something the player hadn’t experienced during two years of conventional treatments. Thanks to this personalized, localized stem-cell treatment, we saw Ronaldo still bursting with energy and vitality during the European Cup.
Star player Di Maria
Spanish newspaper Marca, citing Argentine media reports, revealed that in 2014, Argentine star Ángel Di María was diagnosed with a "Grade I muscle strain" after suffering a right-leg muscle tear, forcing him to withdraw prematurely from the World Cup. Ultimately, Argentina—without their "Angel"—fell short of lifting the championship trophy, as they were defeated by Germany in the final showdown.
After the match, the Argentine Football Association administered stem-cell therapy to Di María, a treatment designed both to alleviate the pain in his leg and to accelerate the regeneration of damaged cells. The results after the stem-cell therapy were nothing short of remarkable. After four years of careful recovery and preparation, Di María has wiped away the disappointment of the previous tournament—and is back stronger than ever as a true champion!
Race King Schumacher
According to a report from the Spanish media outlet Marca, racing legend Michael Schumacher, the German Formula 1 driver and one of modern motorsport's greatest F1 champions, shattered nearly every record during his first 16 years in the sport.
In 2013, during a skiing accident, Schumacher suffered a severe crash that resulted in extensive brain damage. Although doctors fought tirelessly to save his life, the once-legendary racing champion subsequently fell into a deep coma. He later received stem-cell therapy in Paris—first addressing systemic inflammation throughout his body, followed by a second treatment focusing on neural stem cells, aimed at helping rebuild his damaged nervous system. Reports indicate that the stem-cell therapy has played a key role in helping him emerge from the coma. (Click to read more: Foreign media reports that racing legend Schumacher has undergone stem-cell therapy once again—this time aiming to regenerate his central nervous system. ）。
Basketball star Pau Gasol
According to the Los Angeles Times, former Los Angeles Lakers star, Olympic gold medalist, and two-time NBA champion Pau Gasol is a leading figure in Spanish basketball—and one of Europe's greatest basketball players ever. He was named an NBA All-Star six times, but during the 2013 season, he continuously battled knee pain and even relied on crutches at one point.
It was revealed that Gasol once used stem cells to treat a knee injury, and within just three weeks, he had fully recovered and was able to walk again without the aid of crutches.
Tennis player Nadal
According to Marca, Nadal is currently one of the world's top-ranked tennis players, and many consider him to be among the greatest tennis players in history. In 2013, Nadal underwent stem cell therapy on his knee, and the following year, his injured back also received stem cell treatment in Barcelona.
Since undergoing treatment, Nadal achieved historic success in 2016, becoming the eighth male player in tennis history to reach 200 Grand Slam match wins after defeating Facundo Bagnis in straight sets during the second round of a major tournament.
Baseball team pitcher Bartolo Colón
According to Marca, in 2005, Bartolo Colón, the 32-year-old pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels baseball team, won the Cy Young Award—the Cy Young Award being one of baseball's highest honors in Major League Baseball.
However, in the following seasons, he suffered strains in the tendons and ligaments of his throwing arm, shoulder, and back, making his career extremely challenging—and nearly leading him to retire in 2009. To salvage his professional journey, Colon opted for stem-cell therapy. After the treatment, Colon fought back with remarkable resilience, ultimately winning 55 games. That year, Colon also made history by recording two strikeouts on his first-ever career home run, helping the Mets extend their 4-0 lead over the Padres.
Boxing King Tyson
According to a report from the British newspaper The Sun, on May 12, 2020, Beijing time, 53-year-old former world boxing champion Tyson uploaded his latest training video to social media, boldly declaring: "I'm back!"
In the training footage, Tyson showcased incredible speed and power, looking as dangerous as ever in his prime. The 53-year-old legend delivered his signature lightning-fast punches and bone-shattering blows to the sandbag, once again proving his deadly striking ability.
Previously, Tyson revealed during a video chat with basketball legend Shaquille O'Neal that he plans to make a comeback later this year. During the call, Tyson shared he underwent stem-cell therapy—and said the results have been nothing short of remarkable, leaving him feeling like a completely new person. (Click to read: Boxing legend Tyson reveals he’s been helped by stem cell therapy, saying, "I feel like I’ve become a whole new person." ）。
Tyson remarked that he couldn't help but admire the progress of science—after all, science has the power to make everything utterly mind-boggling, even turning dreams into reality in ways no one could have ever imagined.
Stem cell therapy is offering new alternatives for many surgical procedures, particularly playing an increasingly vital role in treating sports injuries—both at amateur and professional levels. With the advancement of technology, it is our hope that not only athletes, but also countless individuals struggling with various illnesses, will soon be able to benefit from the life-changing potential of stem cells.
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