Glaetzer still targeting Tokyo Olympics despite cancer diagnosis

Matthew Glaetzer at the 2018 Commonwealth Games (Image credit: Getty Images Sport)

Australian track sprinter Matthew Glaetzer still has his sights set on competing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics despite being diagnosed with thyroid cancer earlier this month. Glaetzer underwent surgery last week to remove a cancerous growth, and the 27-year-old plans to compete in races as usual going forward.

Glaetzer felt soreness in his neck back in October and initially mistook the pain for a strained neck potentially suffered during strength training. After the pain didn't subside with regular physiotherapy sessions, Cycling Australia sent him for further testing, where MRI and ultrasound scans found nodules on his thyroid.

Dani Ostanek
Senior News Writer

Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, joining in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, they had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur.

Dani has reported from the world's top races, including the Tour de France, Road World Championships, and the spring Classics. They have interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars, including Mathieu van der Poel, Demi Vollering, and Remco Evenepoel. Their favourite races are the Giro d'Italia, Strade Bianche and Paris-Roubaix.

Season highlights from the 2024 season include reporting from Paris-Roubaix –  'Unless I'm in an ambulance, I'm finishing this race' – Cyrus Monk, the last man home at Paris-Roubaix – and the Tour de France – 'Disbelief', gratitude, and family – Mark Cavendish celebrates a record-breaking Tour de France sprint win.