← NewsAll
Curler Danny Casper living with Guillain-Barré syndrome at the Olympics
Summary
Danny Casper, the U.S. curling skip, has lived with Guillain-Barré syndrome since 2024 and is competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina while managing ongoing symptoms.
Content
Danny Casper is competing at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Cortina while living with Guillain-Barré syndrome. He first developed symptoms in 2024 and received a diagnosis after several months of testing. He continues to manage symptoms with medication and with practical support from teammates.
Key details:
- Casper experienced rapid weakness and loss of function in 2024; an EMG test and a referral through the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and the University of Florida led to a diagnosis of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
- He missed much of the 2024–25 season, returned to competition, and led his team to win the U.S. Olympic Trials to qualify for Cortina.
- His treatment has included medications such as gabapentin and later carbamazepine, and he adjusts training and in-game routines when symptoms affect his hands or mobility.
- Casper says symptoms persist and he is unsure about competing beyond this Olympic cycle; he plans to finish the current season and review treatment options this summer.
Summary:
Casper is competing at the Olympic level while managing an autoimmune nerve condition that can cause numbness, weakness and pain. His team helps adapt routines during games, and he will complete the season before reevaluating his treatment plan and his future in the sport.
