Rio 2016: Belgian Paralympian plans to undergo euthanasia 'but not yet'

Marieke Vervoort, 37, suffers from an incurable degenerative muscle disease

Marieke Vervoort of Belgium posing on the medal podium after winning the Silver Medal in the Women's 400m - T52 Final during the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games (EPA)

A Belgian Paralympian who suffers from an incurable degenerative muscle disease says she will undertake euthanasia but not yet.

Marieke Vervoort, 37, was speaking after claiming the silver medal in the 400m-T52 final at the Rio Paralympics, and said she was "still enjoying every moment".

Ms Vervoort, who won a silver and gold medal at London 2012, explained she signed papers in 2008 to undergo the procedure which is legal in Belgium, BBC reports.

She said: "When the moment comes when I have more bad days than good days, then I have my euthanasia papers, but the time is not there yet."

Ms Vervoort's condition, which she was diagnosed with aged 14, causes her constant pain, paralysis of her legs and seizures preventing her from sleeping properly.

She announced after the 400m final, Rio will be her last Paralympics due to the punishing training regime.

The Belgian athlete told the BBC: "It's a feeling of 'Yes, I won a silver medal', but there is also another side to the medal, the side of suffering and of saying goodbye to the sport.

"Because I love the sport, sport is my life.

"It gives a feeling of rest to people, I know when it's enough for me, I have those papers."

Euthanasia is currently legal in Belgium, the Netherlands, Colombia, India, Luxembourg and Mexico.