Elena Semekhin is having a baby.

After tumor and chemo: Paralympic champion gives birth

After fulfilling her sporting dreams, Paralympic champion Elena Semechin is now also fulfilling a very personal one.

March 31, 2025

From: dpa/det

The German para-swimmer is expecting her first child with her husband Philipp. "Today I want to share something very personal and wonderful with you. It finally worked, I'm pregnant," the 31-year-old announced on social media. Big changes are coming her way, "but I'm really looking forward to it."

"At the moment, I'm still training and working as best I can. If everything goes without complications, I'll return to the top of the world," the two-time Paralympic champion continued.

Semechin defies many obstacles

Semechin suffers from Stargardt's disease. The three-time world champion says she is at risk of completely losing her remaining vision, which is already only at two percent.

Semechin was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the end of 2021, following her gold medal triumph in Tokyo. Despite subsequent chemotherapy, the Berlin native continued training and returned to the world elite. After her second victory in Paris last September, she was the German flag bearer at the Paralympics closing ceremony.