French president taken to hospital

Jul 26 2009

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has been taken to hospital for medical tests after complaining he felt unwell while exercising.

Mr Sarkozy "felt faint" while doing sports and his personal doctor immediately took charge of him, according to a statement from the Elysee Palace.

France 2 television said Mr Sarkozy, 54, was hospitalised after his morning jogging session.

Mr Sarkozy, who was elected in 2007, is regularly seen running and is a cycling enthusiast.

He last underwent a medical examination July 3, when his cardiovascular and blood tests were normal.

His first medical bulletin, issued shortly after his 2007 election, said Mr Sarkozy's health was "good" and compatible with his presidential duties.

During his campaign, Mr Sarkozy campaigned for greater transparency on presidential health bulletins, as it was claimed several previous French presidents had concealed health problems from the public.

However, his short hospital stay for a throat problem in the autumn of 2007 was revealed only three months later.