Paralympic Champion Elena Semechin Faces Potential Blindness

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Elena Semechin, the celebrated Paralympic swimmer who claimed gold in swimming competitions, is facing a severe health challenge that threatens her vision. In an emotional Instagram post to her 36,000 followers, the 23-year-old athlete revealed that she may lose the remaining two percent of her eyesight, which has already deteriorated.

Semechin, who suffers from Stargardt's disease, shared her fears about permanent blindness, stating, "Will I really go completely blind? These questions are going through my mind." Following recent medical examinations that confirmed the decline in her vision, she expressed her sadness and anxiety about the future.

The news comes just months after she secured her second Paralympic gold medal in Paris. Having previously triumphed at the Tokyo Games in 2021, where she was later diagnosed with a brain tumor, Semechin has shown remarkable resilience. She resumed training after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy to overcome cancer, ultimately achieving a record-breaking performance in her latest competition.

Now, Semechin plans to pursue gene therapy at a clinic in Tübingen in hopes of preserving her vision. Her story highlights both the challenges faced by elite athletes with disabilities and the unforeseen hurdles that can arise in their personal health journeys.

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