Team GB presenter Charlie Webster fighting for her life in Rio hospital after being struck down with rare strain of malaria
TV SPORTS presenting star Charlie Webster is fighting for her life in a Rio de Janeiro hospital after contracting a rare strain of malaria on her way to the Olympics.
The Sun can reveal the 33-year-old Team GB ambassador remains in a coma on life support in the Brazilian city, with top doctors from Britain being consulted about her treatment.
Her mother, brother and manager have flown from the UK to be by her side with friends fearing the worst.
A pal revealed: “Charlie is battling for survival at the moment – everyone is distraught.
“But she is so strong and a very fit and healthy person in general so we have to keep positive.
“The doctors have now identified the very rare malaria strain she has contracted so she is receiving the right treatment in Rio, with advice being provided by the London School of Tropical Medicine.”
Former Sky Sports star Charlie was in Rio as one of the official presenters for Team GB, working alongside other big name ambassadors including Nick Grimshaw and Gethin Jones for various broadcasters.
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Charlie – who recently split from Downton Abbey actor Allen Leech – had cycled to the Olympics on a six-week, 3,000 mile trek to raise money for a cancer charity.
The journey saw her travel from London through France, Spain and Portugal before taking a flight to the north of Brazil and then cycling down the country to Rio.
But her friend said: “She had checked the medical risks and been told she didn’t need to take anti malaria drugs because of where she was travelling.”
Charlie arrived in Rio on Thursday, August 4 and attended the opening ceremony at Maracanã Stadium the next night.
But during the spectacular she began to feel unwell, which she initially put down to dehydration from her taxing cycling challenge.
A friend said: “Charlie started vomiting at the ceremony and thought it was dehydration and general fatigue from the cycle.
“In the early hours after the ceremony she went to hospital and was treated for dehydration.”
Charlie – one of Britain’s most famous female sports broadcasters – initially felt well enough to post pictures from hospital on social media, saying she was on “two drips and antibiotics”.
But she remained determined to get to work, writing: “I'm getting there...awful few days with serious infection.
“Looking forward to being a part of @TeamGB here at #Rio2016 #BringOnTheGreat”
However, over the next few days, her condition deteriorated.
Her friend said: “Her kidneys stopped functioning and she was put on dialysis.
“Charlie's breathing became laboured and she was unable to breath unsupported.
“Last Friday Charlie was put into an induced coma.
“She remains in an induced coma and is on life support.”
Then this week, doctors finally came to their disturbing diagnosis.
The pal added: “She was found to have a very rare strain of Malaria which they are now treating and are hopeful for a recovery.
“British and American medical specialists have been consulted, as have the London School of Tropical Medicine.
“Charlie and the Ride to Rio charity team were told that malaria wasn't a risk, so the doctors are trying to work out where she could have contracted it from.”
Her mum and brother flew out last week to by her bedside while her best friend Annie was waiting for her when she cycled into Brazil.
Charlie’s manager has also flown to Brazil and has been working with the British Consulate who have been providing assistance.
Charlie became a household name as a Sky Sports News presenter, but has also worked for ESPN, Setanta, Channel 4, Channel 5, the BBC and ITV, most recently as a sports expert on Good Morning Britain.
She is a motorsports specialist, having hosted coverage of the World Superbikes, Live GP2 and the Speedway Grand Prix.
But she made history as the first female presenter of boxing coverage on Eurosport when Wladimir Klitschko took on Alex Leapai in 2014.
She has also fronted boxing coverage on Sky Sports and presented the women’s boxing at the London 2012 Olympics.
Charlie is also a football fanatic and has featured on BBC1’s Football Focus.
She is very active, taking part in numerous charity challenges and competing in the London Triathlon, ten marathons and even an Ironman.
In January 2014, Charlie bravely waived her right to anonymity to reveal she had been sexually assaulted by her running coach aged 15.
She said: “He abused my trust and abused the fact that I was an innocent person that maybe wanted his support, his compassion and his care as my running coach.”
Charlie now sits on the Government’s Victim Panel where she advises ministers on policy.
Charlie made headlines in November 2014 when she said she would resign as a patron of her lifelong club Sheffield United if they re-signed convicted rapist Ched Evans.
Charlie was in a high profile romance with Allen Leech, who played Branson on the ITV drama Downton Abbey.
But they split after the conclusion of the show last December in order to focus on their growing careers.
At the time, Charlie said: “Downton Abbey has just finished and he is going to go on to a huge career.
“And my career is really exciting.
“It was the wrong time for either of us to be in a long-term relationship.”
Dr STEPHEN WRIGHT, tropical diseases expert
MALARIA can easily lead to brain damage and death, as seen in thousands of cases every year.
How long Charlie was carrying the parasite is a real concern.
Her malaria is “rare” — pointing towards falciparum malaria, responsible for around ten per cent of cases in Brazil.
Complications include fluid on the lungs or damage to blood vessels in her lungs, meaning she would need external support to help her breathe and for her kidneys to function.
She might need a full blood transfusion.
It can be extremely serious and fatal if not treated quickly and appropriately.