International rugby referee Nigel Owens has been suffering with the eating disorder bulimia for almost 30 years, he said in an interview with the BBC.
Ben Smith is yellow-carded by Nigel Owens during 2015 Rugby World cup final. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Owens, international rugby's first openly gay referee, said the eating disorder had crossed over into his professional life as recently as last month.
The 46-year-old is a highly respected official in rugby, and was the referee for the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at Twickenham.
However, ahead of the airing of a BBC Panorama programme focused on eating disorders among men, the Welshman said that during England's tour of Argentina in June, where he was officiating, his bulimia returned.
"I thought I was in control but since making the Panorama programme, I've realised I'm not," he said.
"I came back from refereeing the England summer tour in Argentina a few weeks ago. While I was out there, I made myself sick three to four times."
-Reuters
