It was in February that Ikee, 19, was diagnosed with blood cancer leukemia and had to pause his swimming career and begin treatment for the disease. Ikee broke through last year to grab six gold at the Asian Games and set the 2018 fastest time on the 100 meter butterfly, Sarah Sjöström's parade distance.
She was a big medalist at the Tokyo Olympics this summer but she does not expect to race formally until the championship but has set the sights on later championships.
Aims at the Paris Olympics 2024“In the end, I was allowed to leave the hospital. It has been hard, long days I have received a lot of encouragement and now I want to return to my normal life again, ”she writes on Instagram.
Ikee has started training but is waiting for the clear sign to start swimming in the pool again.
"I'm aiming for Paris 2024 and will work hard to take medals there," Ikee writes.
Sarah Sjöström and the other medalists paid tribute to cancer patient Rikako Ikee after the 100m butterfly World Cup final this summer. The same evening, the Japanese heard from them.
"She greeted and thanked the giant for showing our support," Sjöström told SVT Sport.