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Golden heroine Semechin: From brain tumor to pregnancy and new sponsor!
Elena Semechin, para-swimmer, overcomes obstacles, loses sponsors but stays strong for 2028 Paralympics.
Golden heroine Semechin: From brain tumor to pregnancy and new sponsor!
Elena Semechin, the outstanding para-swimmer from Germany, has experienced a remarkable journey of ups and downs in recent years. With two gold medals from the Tokyo Paralympics in 2021, she is now not only a world-class athlete, but also a woman who has had to battle great personal challenges. After she was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the end of 2021, she underwent several chemotherapy treatments without neglecting her training. Semechin made a triumphant return to the world elite and was even selected as the flag bearer for Germany at the closing ceremony of the Paralympics in Paris in September 2024. But life also presents challenges that go beyond the edge of the pool.
Semechin recently announced that she and her husband Philipp are expecting their first child, which she made public at the end of March 2025. However, this good news also brought unexpected consequences: after the announcement of her pregnancy, the athlete lost several sponsors. During this difficult phase, however, she was able to find a new partner - a diaper company that now represents her new main sponsorship partnership. This development was enthusiastically shared by Semechin on her Instagram account, where she discussed the challenges of becoming a mother combined with high-performance sports.
The path to the 2028 Paralympics
Elena Semechin now faces the exciting task of combining her pregnancy with preparations for the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. Despite her severe visual impairment - she only has 2% of her vision due to Stargardt's disease - she has set strategic goals to be both a mother and an athlete. She is convinced that it is possible to live both roles successfully and sees this as a challenge that requires courage and support.
The fates of athletes after great successes are often unpredictable. Semechin was not only battling a serious illness, but now also the financial challenges that come with the loss of sponsors. Nevertheless, she radiates confidence and shows that obstacles can be overcome if you focus on your goals and dreams. She sees her new sponsor as an opportunity to further promote equality between pregnancy and high-performance sport.
Elena Semechin's story is a shining example of determination and strength and inspires many around the globe. Her journey from a gold-laden Olympian to an expectant mother shows us all that true champions can survive not only in competition, but in life and conquer new territories.