Nicolas Sarkozy, the fitness-fanatic French president, was hospitalised on Sunday after he was taken ill during an exercise routine.
The Elysée announced that the president “felt faint” while exercising and was immediately seen by his doctor.
He was under observation in a military hospital in Paris on Sunday afternoon undergoing “additional tests”, according to his office. The Elysée said it would release more details later on Monday.
Sarkozy (54) who has built much of his media image as the energetic “super-Sarko” around pictures of him on morning runs, regularly takes 45-minute jogging sessions.
He has often been photographed jogging with his ministers or while on official trips for summits. Recently he has started regularly running routines with his wife, Carla Bruni, and additional workouts with her personal trainer.
The president is believed to have been taken ill during his regular Sunday morning run. The Elysée did not confirm the location but initial reports suggested he had been running near his weekend residence, La Lanterne, at Versailles, where military helicopters had been seen.
Sarkozy, known in political circles to have long suffered from punishing migraines, has always made a point of publishing his medical reports, following the intense secrecy surrounding the health issues of former French presidents. His latest medical report was released on July 3, when the presidential health service said his cardiovascular and blood tests were “normal”.
In October 2007, Sarkozy was hospitalised for treatment to his throat. – guardian.co.uk