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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 10:02 a.m., Monday, April 7, 2008

World champion gymnast confirmed with dengue

Associated Press

SAO PAULO, Brazil — Two-time gymnastics world champion Diego Hypolito was diagnosed today with dengue fever, a mosquito-borne disease that doctors say will not disrupt his Olympic training

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The disease causes high fevers, severe headaches and joint pain. The 21-year-old Brazilian has been in Copa D'Or hospital in Rio de Janeiro since Thursday.

"He's recovering and could be released from the hospital on Tuesday," Hypolito's doctor, Robson de Bem, told The Associated Press. "The three or four days he missed because of dengue will not affect his training for the Olympics. He will be completely recovered and ready to practice on April 23."

Hypolito contracted dengue while recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee March 25.

"He will be able to resume treatment on his knee by Wednesday," Bem said. "His preparation for Beijing will remain on schedule."

Rio de Janeiro has been hit by an outbreak of dengue fever that has sickened nearly 50,000 people this year.

Hypolito won the 2007 world championship in the floor exercise and is among the favorites for the gold in Beijing. He also won the event in 2005 and was runner-up in 2006 despite losing training time because of an ankle injury.