Rikako Ikee Back in Pool For First Time in 406 Days

After a year-long battle with leukemia, Japan's Rikako Ikee is back in the water. Photo Courtesy: Peter H. Bick

19-year-old Rikako Ikee of Japan posted to Instagram on Tuesday that she was back in the pool for the first time in 406 days after a year-long battle with leukemia. She was discharged from the hospital in December and set a long-term goal of competing at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

She posted two photos of herself in the pool to Instagram. When roughly translated from Japanese to English, she wrote:

“Hospital teacher’s permission finally came out and was able to enter the pool! It’s been a long time since I’ve been in the pool fo the first time in 406 days! I’m so happy that I can’t describe my words. I feel good and I’m happy. In Japan, new viruses are trending around the world, but I hope that the infection prevention and measures will be solid, and it will converge in 1 days.”

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A post shared by Rikako Ikee (@ikee.rikako)

Rikako Ikee’s Journey:

February 21, 2020: Ikee Reflects On Diagnosis One Year On
December 17: Rikako Ikee Discharged From Hospital After Leukemia Fight; Eyeing 2024 Olympic Games
September 6: Rikako Ikee Makes First Public Appearance Since Leukemia Diagnosis
July 22: Medalists Honor Rikako Ikee on Podium At World Titles
June 1: Japan’s Rikako Ikee Resumes Light Exercise Amid Leukemia Treatment
May 8: Rikako Ikee Uses New Website To Thank Fans, Document Treatment For Leukemia
February 12: Japanese Star Rikako Ikee Diagnosed With Leukemia

Ikee was diagnosed with leukemia in February 2019 and was forced out of the water for the year to fight the disease after coming off a wildly successful 2018 where she was the most decorated athlete at the Asian Games. She also won the 100 butterfly at the Pan Pacific Championships with the fastest time in the world for 2018. Coming into 2019, she would have been a favorite in the 100 butterfly against the likes of Sarah Sjostrom, Kelsi Dahlia and Emma McKeon.

“I think of all the lessons it has taught me. I hope so many other people can take courage from my example of one healthy person. This has been the big turning point in my life.” – Rikako Ikee said last month in reflecting one year on from her diagnosis.

Despite not being present at the World Championships, Ikee was still present on the podium of the 100 butterfly in Gwangju, the event she would have been a favorite to take gold in. Sjostrom had the idea of sending a good luck message on her hands alongside other medalists McKeon and Maggie MacNeil after the 100 butterfly medal ceremony.

“It’s just to let her know we are thinking of her and we support and love her,” bronze medalist Emma McKeon said after the race.

The gesture was heard around the world.

Emma McKeon, Maggie MacNeil and Sarah Sjostrom give Rikako Ikee a shoutout on the podium of the 100 butterfly at the 2019 World Championships. Ikee would have been a favorite to win gold but was fighting leukemia all year. Photo Courtesy: Becca Wyant

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