KORTRIJK, BELGIUM - MARCH 02: Sam Bennett of Ireland and Team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale prior to the 77th Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne 2025 a 196.9km one day race from Kortrijk to Kuurne on March 02, 2025 in Kortrijk, Belgium. (Photo by Luc Claessen/Getty Images)
Irish sprinter Sam Bennett has undergone surgery to address a heart issue, marking a significant moment in his athletic career as he prepares to join the Q36.5-Pinarello team for the 2026 season. The 35-year-old athlete, who transferred from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale, faced a health scare during the off-season that interrupted his training.
Bennett began experiencing concerning symptoms during the 2023 season’s end, which continued into his off-season. He reported feeling unwell and unable to perform at his usual level. “I couldn’t get out the performances and couldn’t understand it,” he told Irish broadcaster RTE. His issues escalated to include palpitations and flutters during training sessions, prompting further investigation.
During a training camp in London, Bennett noticed these symptoms becoming more frequent. Using a Whoop smart watch, he was able to monitor his heart health, which revealed he was experiencing atrial fibrillation (AFib). This condition, characterized by an irregular heartbeat, prompted him to seek further medical advice. He consulted three specialists before undergoing successful ablation surgery in Frankfurt, Germany, in November 2023.
Bennett described the surgery as a turning point, stating, “Four or five days later, I had the ablation, which was a success.” He was advised to take a cautious approach to his recovery, which was initially set to last three months. However, a setback due to a bout of flu left him unable to train effectively during his new team’s training camp.
Despite these challenges, Bennett is hopeful that his recent health improvements will enhance his performance with Q36.5-Pinarello. He speculated that his heart issues might have affected his sprinting capabilities in the past. “It’s possible that I was having many episodes going into sprints,” he reflected. “I always felt something in the sprints and I couldn’t push.”
As he embarks on this new chapter, Bennett aims to raise awareness about heart health, particularly for athletes. He encourages others to consider using smart devices to monitor their cardiovascular health, stating, “I think you have the fear of the unknown. But I wanted to share my story so that others can understand what is happening with their bodies.”
Bennett’s experience highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of heart conditions, especially for athletes. He hopes that by sharing his story, he can alleviate the fears associated with such diagnoses and inspire others to seek help. “Once you go after it and treat it, you can recover fully and return to top levels of performance,” he stated.
As Bennett prepares for the upcoming season, he remains committed to his health and performance, eager to prove himself as a lead sprinter for his new team. With his heart condition addressed, he is ready to embrace the challenges ahead with renewed focus and determination.
