Miscarriage before the European Championships: An emotional medal

There was an emotional Swiss medal at the European Swimming Championships in Paris.

August 04, 2026

From: dpa/det

This European Championship medal means so much more to Michelle Heimberg than an ordinary sporting achievement. "One week before traveling to the European Championships, we received the heartbreaking news that we had lost our baby at the very end of the first trimester. Just 24 hours later, I had surgery," the Swiss diver wrote on Instagram. "This silver medal shines brighter than any gold medal ever could."

The past two weeks have been incredibly challenging, "physically and emotionally. There were moments when it seemed almost impossible to stand on the diving board," Heimberg wrote after the one-meter springboard competition. "This medal reminds me that joy and heartbreak can coexist and that we are capable of more than we sometimes believe."

Heimberg: "It's often kept quiet about it"

Heimberg also wrote: “I’m sharing this because I believe that experiences like this are part of life. A miscarriage is something many people go through, but it’s often kept quiet. And I also believe that talking openly about it can help others feel less alone.”

Michelle Heimberg in action. © GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / MINAS PANAGIOTAKIS

The 26-year-old thanked her partner, her family, her friends, her coaches, and everyone else who had supported her during the difficult days. "This silver medal will always remind me that strength doesn't mean never breaking down. Sometimes it simply means finding the courage to take the next step."

Keywords Other sports Miscarriages