PARIS: French President Nicolas Sarkozy felt unwell while exercising today and was undergoing medical tests, the Elysee Palace announced.

Sarkozy “felt faint” while exercising and his personal doctor immediately took charge and ordered medical tests, the two-paragraph statement said. No other details were available. Elysee officials would not comment over the telephone. France 2 television, however, said Sarkozy was hospitalised after his morning jog.

Further details will be made available later, the Elysee statement said.

Sarkozy, 54, was elected in 2007. He is regularly seen running and is a cycling enthusiast. He last underwent a medical examination on July 3, when his cardiovascular and blood tests were normal, the medical service of the Elysee said.

His first medical bulletin issued shortly after his 2007 election said Sarkozy’s health was “good” and compatible with his presidential duties.

During his presidential campaign, Sarkozy campaigned for greater transparency on presidential health bulletins.