Roger Black: Olympic 400m silver medallist undergoes open heart surgery

Olympic 400m silver medallist and two-time 400m relay world champion Roger Black has revealed he has undergone open heart surgery.

Black, 58, said he has been having annual check-ups on the heart condition he was first diagnosed with aged 11 and had the operation three weeks ago.

Despite his condition, Black went on to enjoy a stellar athletics career, taking Olympic silver in the 400m at the 1996 Atlanta Games behind American great Michael Johnson.

He was also part of the Great Britain quartet which won World Championship 4x400m relay gold at Tokyo in 1991 and Athens in 1997, plus relay silver at the 1996 Olympics and bronze four years earlier at the Barcelona Olympics.

After retiring from athletics, Black became a television personality, appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and Celebrity MasterChef.

“Three weeks ago I had open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and repair my aortic root,” Black said on Instagram., external

“My ‘incompetent’ bicuspid aortic valve was discovered when I was 11 years old and for the last 47 years I have been looked after by the cardiac team at Southampton General Hospital.

“At my annual check up last summer it was clear that things had deteriorated despite me having no obvious symptoms.

“It was a shock but deep down I knew this day would come even though I never allowed my heart disease to define me and prevent me from pursuing my athletic career.”

Black went on to thank the hospital staff before paying tribute to his wife Jules.

He added: “Most of all thank you to my wife Jules who was there when I woke up in intensive care 11 hours after surgery and has cared for me every day in recovery.

“Each day has been about small steps – yesterday was a big milestone as we walked to the top of St Martha’s Hill… Our special place.”