People used to think that sports and the delicate ailment of diabetes do not mix. But in 1997, a certain athlete by the name of Sir Stephen Redgrave was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes mellitus; in the year 2000, he went on to win his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal, proving that with the proper training and the utmost dedication to the diet, even diabetics can achieve athletic glory that ordinary persons can only dream about.
There are, however, certain considerations made for athletes who are suffering from diabetes. For example, although insulin is on the list of the World Anti-Doping Association (WADA) Prohibited List, there can be exemptions made for the diabetic athlete, provided that he applies first for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE), which needs to be signed by the athlete and his overseeing physician and then sent to the proper governing organisation. There are also particular airline security restrictions enforced for diabetic athletes- he must carry his physician's note and his prescription so that he can carry along with him his insulin, needles, syringes and his blood glucose monitoring equipment. Further, high-risk sports, such as skydiving, rock climbing and paragliding, can pose stronger threats to the diabetic athlete, owing to the disease's short-term complications such as hypoglycaemia.
Whatever sport the athlete might be involved in, it is always important to pay the utmost attention to his proper training and his own personal diet qualifications. With diabetes, even the smallest thing can mean a big difference. You can also refer to this site for additional insight on the proper diet ideal for a diabetic.