Glaetzer still targeting Tokyo Olympics despite cancer diagnosis

Matthew Glaetzer at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Australian track sprinter Matthew Glaetzer still has his sights set on competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite being diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this month. Glaetzer underwent surgery last week to remove a cancerous growth, and the 27-year-old plans to compete in races as usual going forward.

Glaetzer felt soreness in his neck back in October and initially mistook the pain for a strained neck potentially suffered during strength training. After the pain didn't subside with regular physiotherapy sessions, Cycling Australia sent him for further testing, where MRI and ultrasound scans found nodules on his thyroid.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.