Danny Casper competing at the Olympics while living with Guillain-Barré syndrome

Danny Casper is competing as the U.S. curling skip at the Cortina Olympics while living with Guillain-Barré syndrome; he was diagnosed after months of tests and has returned to play while managing ongoing symptoms.

Danny Casper is at his first Winter Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo as the U.S. curling skip while living with Guillain-Barré syndrome. Two years ago he developed GBS, lost the ability to walk for a time, and spent about three months seeing doctors before receiving a diagnosis. He missed much of the 2024–25 season but regained enough dexterity to return to competition and helped his team win the U.S. Olympic Trials. Casper continues to manage pain and treatment while competing at the Games. Known details: - Casper developed Guillain-Barré syndrome in 2024 and diagnosis followed an EMG and specialist review through a U.S. Olympic Committee referral. - He experienced severe symptoms early on, including inability to walk and difficulty using his phone, and missed most of the following season. - He is the skip for the U.S. curling team in Cortina after his team won the U.S. Olympic Trials, unseating a previous champion squad. - Casper manages symptoms with medications that have included gabapentin, various muscle relaxants and more recently carbamazepine, and he adjusts treatment as needed. - Teammates support him with tasks such as cleaning stones when his hands are affected, and he speaks about the challenge of living with an invisible autoimmune condition. Summary: Casper’s appearance at the Olympics marks a return to high-level competition despite persistent symptoms and ongoing treatment. He plans to finish the current season and reassess medication this summer, and has said he is unsure whether he will continue competing into 2030 if symptoms remain.