GLAMOUR Women of the Year Award 2024 in Partnership with Dyson: Elena Semechin ist “Athlete of the Year”
The author of this text was with the. What made her particularly happy was that, in addition to the Olympic rings, there was also the logo of thecould be seen everywhere. The competitions of, which are traditionally held after the Olympics, have taken place in the sidelines of daily newspapers, away from society, for far too long. That changed in 2024: There was live reporting, the images of athletes from all nations celebrating medals together showed real companionship, real enthusiasm.
One that actively contributed to Germany having a reason to celebrate at the Paralympic GamesElena Semechin.At the GLAMOR Women of the Year Award 2024, the athlete will be recognized as“Athlete of the Year”honored. For us in the GLAMOR editorial team, this award and also the category “Athlete of the Year”, not “Para-Athlete of the Year”, are important: for us, Elena Semechin is an absolute role model when it comes to fighting spirit, ambition and perseverance. We recognize Elena as a professional athlete and person – and are pleased to honor her as a GLAMOR Woman of the Year.
Elena Semechin in an interview about resilience: “If I want something, then I make it happen”
The life of the 31-year-oldis remarkable: At the age of seven, she developed the hereditary disease Stargardt's disease, and today Semechin only has two percent of her vision left. At the age of eleven she moved with her family from Kazakhstan– without knowing a single word of German. But she persevered, learned to swim and won at the Paralympic Games in Tokyo (2020).(2024) Swimming gold for Germany in the 100 meter breaststroke. That she was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor in 2021? It may have changed Elena Semechin's life, but it certainly didn't break her fighting spirit.
In the interview, the athlete talks about her life, about the things that motivate her - and which prejudices she really can't hear anymore. Voilà, meet the “Athlete of the Year”, our GLAMOR Woman of the Year 2024, Elena Semechin!
GLAMOUR: Who would be your Woman of the Year?
Elena Semechin: I'm involved in sports so much and it's difficult to choose someone because there are so many people I would like to do that to. Of course, I'm all the more pleased that I became one. This is incredible!
If you could give your teenage self any advice, what would it be?
I would clearly say: “Elena, pull yourself together, accept your visual impairment. Accept yourself as you are.”
Looking back, what were the biggest hurdles in your career and how did you overcome them?
At the beginning of my career it was definitely financing. The support measures for professional sports in Germany still have a lot of room for improvement. In addition, the appreciation of competitive sport in society is still quite rudimentary. This is still a big problem today. If you do competitive sports and then have to miss school for training or competitions, for example, then that is not welcomed. I have the feeling that society often doesn't support us athletes, but rather says: “It's a hobby and they can do it in their free time.” There are really obstacles being put in the way of professional athletes.
It's actually crazy: On the one hand, everyone complains about the poor place in the medal table at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, but on the other hand, there is no support.
Financial and general. We cannot be expected to win medals without supporting young talent, creating and maintaining coaching positions, and without society being prepared to value our performance as athletes. We are simply given little exposure.
What advice do you have for young women out there?
In any case, you should have big dreams, and I had them back then too. But it's not enough to just dream, you also have to fight for your dreams: If you really want to achieve something, you can't give up too early, you have to really work for it. And you can't let anyone tell you that you can't do something.
What scares you? What gives you confidence?
The political situation here scares me, there's no need to talk about it too much. People around me who have good thoughts and counteract the bad social climate give me confidence; That calms me down because it means I don't lose faith in humanity.
You are a para-swimmer and won a gold medal in Paris. For the first time, the Paralympic Games were properly reported in daily newspapers and TV. As a successful para-athlete, what do you want from our society? What can we do better?
We need to start creating interest in sports and para-sports among society. Increased media presence is extremely important - not directly at a major event where you can win medals for your country, but in general. For example, many people can easily come up with four footballer names, but what about the people from the eight row? These are often fringe sports that do not take place on television apart from the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And I think it's a shame that the athletes who represent our country are not known at all, that they have no presence. This needs to be expanded - at least to the point that people in front of the television know the faces and then recognize them in competitions. And financial support? Sure, it can definitely be expanded. In my opinion, a few things need to be done.
Elena Semechin, “Athlete of the Year” beim GLAMOUR Women of the Year Award 2024
Getty ImagesIs there any prejudice that you still have to deal with despite success and gold medals?
If you are a person with a disability or limitation, society likes to impose certain limits on you. When I feel like doing something, I'm often told: That's not possible for you, you're disabled. With a restriction you quickly get pigeonholed - I think that's wrong. I don't want you to draw any conclusions based on prejudices without knowing the person, the character, the attitude. I find it difficult to simply impose boundaries on someone. Sometimes this still happens to me and I really can't believe it. I can set limits for myself, but no one can do that for me.
Do you know how people help you without asking? In the worst case scenario, they simply lead you somewhere without you asking?
This often happens out of niceness, and you shouldn't forget that. When people don't know what they're doing, they just act without asking. That's meant nicely, but it's not always done nicely - it's also about the privacy of the individual. I actually want people to ask me before I'm taken somewhere. But then I also try to educate – on behalf of everyone else.
You modeled for a men's magazine. Did you have to listen to any stupid sayings from friends or in your professional sports environment? And if so, how did you deal with it?
My sports colleagues were all really cool about it and actually thought it was really good that I did it. Of course, some were a little, yes, embarrassed. I was born in Kazakhstan, a very strict country; For example, my father hasn't talked to me about the cover story to this day. So, we talk to each other normally, but not about that. The rest of my family was quite surprised and yes, shocked. They didn't know anything about it. I then explained that I wanted to show that not everything is perfect in the world, but that it depends on how you feel and whether you are at peace with yourself. For me, coming from a country where women are still oppressed, this self-determined step was extremely important - my mother understood the shooting and my reasons behind it, but some family members are still keeping quiet about it.
You moved from Kazakhstan to Germany when you were eleven. What were your experiences back then as a child? Did you immediately receive a hospitable welcome? And what about your last name and your starting position for Germany today – do you have to listen to stupid sayings?
At the beginning it was difficult to fit in here. I couldn't speak any German, so you soon reach your own limits. We moved to Bavaria back then, and I didn't always feel welcome there. It was difficult for us, especially with all the offices.
But to be honest: Germany gave me and us a lot of opportunities to fully immerse myself in the culture, mentality and the country, and I took full advantage of it. I have to say that I am very, very grateful. I was supported, given many opportunities and Germany offered me a safety net, especially as my visual impairment became worse. Now I can't imagine how this could have worked anywhere else.
And about my name: Every now and then it happens to me that some journalist says that my name doesn't sound German, even though I'm running for the country. Sometimes I have to ask what this has to do with each other.
When you don't swim, what do you do in your free time?
In 2024, after the Paralympics, I didn't have much time for leisure: I was flooded with requests for charities and media appearances. I also give motivational speeches to companies, which I enjoy.
But when everything gets too much for me, I do strength training. Or pole dancing! And if I want to be completely alone, then I put on some series or film, close the curtains and hang out in front of the TV - just like everyone else.
Do you still get stage fright when you're on the starting block? And if so, what do you do about it?
I am always very concentrated and focused before races. I don't have any real routines, but I always mentally go through my technique and the race and then I get into a kind of tunnel. But of course, a certain tension and nervousness will always be there. If they're no longer there at some point, then I won't have to compete anymore.
Is there anything you've accomplished that you were surprised you accomplished?
I've always had imagination and big dreams, but when you think about where I come from, what background and what kind of small village in the south of Kazakhstan where there is nothing, it's crazy: little Elena from the village in the border area in the big world... On top of that, I have a disability that would have made participation and participation in life impossible in my home country because you were always somehow excluded. When I look back now, everything I've achieved is incredible. I am incredibly grateful for that.
Do you have a motto that you stick to?
Since my cancer with the brain tumor and the follow-up treatment, I have realized that you may not have as much time in your life as you always think. I try to live in the here and now. If I want something, I make it happen.
