An athlete just spent a record-breaking 500 days alone in a 70-metre-deep cave. Beatriz Flamini, 50, is a mountaineer. She took part in a study to examine the effects of isolation and deprivation on health. She started her solitary endeavour in November 2021 and came out of the cave last Friday. After resurfacing, she had health check-ups. Rather than have a shower, she went into a press conference.

Ms Flamini smiled as she explained that time had flown by. She was surprised the 500 days had ended. She said she lost track of time after day 65 because "it was always 4am". She was monitored by psychologists, but had no contact with anyone else. She said her success was due to getting on well with herself. She was happy that she kept her promise to stay in the cave for 500 days. She missed roast chicken.