Sarkozy discharged from hospital after collapsing

French President Nicholas Sarkozy has been discharged after spending the night in hospital following his collapse while jogging in the park of the Palace of Versailles. It appears that he made the mistake of running in the heat of the midday sun, at around 1.30 pm French time, while on a strict diet.

Agence France Presse reported an unnamed witness saying he saw 54-year-old Sarkozy, surrounded by bodyguards, stumble and collapse. His wife Carla Bruni (pictured jogging with Sarkozy last year) was called and arrived at the scene on a scooter. She was followed by a white helicopter which took the first couple to Val de Grace hospital in Paris where, five hours later, his chief of staff was able to proclaim that Sarko was doing fine and "talking normally".

The French media are reporting that the President suffered from a malaise vagal - a problem relating to the vagus nerve which runs from the abdomen to the brain. In plain English, a "vasovagal episode" is a fainting spell.

This could well have been induced by a combination of dehydration, caused by too much exertion in the heat, coupled with too little nourishment. The President is known to follow a strict regime - diet - as well as going for "un footing" - a run - three times a week.

However, French doctors say vagal problems are more common among much younger people and older people - hence the decision to keep him in hospital overnight for observation and further tests.

'Super Sarko' will not be best pleased to have ruined the image of the action man president keeping himself fit for his lovely young wife. But friends and doctors are saying he must lighten up - exercise a little less and eat a little more.

Patrick Balkany, a centre-right mayor and long-time friend, said Sarkozy had been overdoing his fitness regime to the point where "he looked more like a Tour de France racer than a president. I hope this will be a warning to him to moderate his efforts a little." ·