Swimmer Rikako Ikee back in pool after leukemia treatment

Ikee is not expected to try to compete in the Tokyo Olympics next year but has talked about the Paris 2024 Olympics as a goal.

Japan's Rikako Ikee holds up her gold medal after winning the women's 50m freestyle final during the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta. (File Photo)

Japanese swim star Rikako Ikee will compete on Saturday in a meet for the first time since being treated for leukemia.

The 20-year-old Ikee won six gold medals in the Asian Games two years ago in Jakarta, Indonesia, and would have been among the favorites in several events going into the now-postponed Tokyo Olympics.

Ikee revealed her illness 18 months ago. She is not expected to try to compete in the Tokyo Olympics next year but has talked about the Paris 2024 Olympics as a goal.

She appeared in a ceremony last month the the new national stadium in Tokyo. She stood on the floor of the empty stadium and spoke briefly to mark July 24 - the date the Olympics were scheduled to open in Tokyo.