5 U.S. Swimmers That Battled Cancer and Made America Proud

In swimmers’ lives, injury comes as part and parcel. Sometimes it can be career-threatening, but most of the time, it cures. However, in the case of cancer, very few survive to tell the tale. In swimming, the number of injuries might be smaller compared to other games. But the death of Idella Sehorn, the former breaststroke champion in swimming, shared a different outcome. She died of lung cancer in 2000.

Since then, many swimmers have caught the fatal disease. Some of them have returned to the swimming field after treatment. Some have faltered with their fate. Here are five swimmers who made a post-treatment successful return in the swimming pool.?

Swimmers joined the paean of life over having cancer?

• Nathan Adrian?

The Olympic champion admitted he had cancer in 2019. After going through a successful medical period, Nathan Adrian returned to the professional swimming court. However, the journey has not been the same again, but it has been enough to give Nathan the confidence. They highlighted his journey in his battling period in one of his interviews given to the Career Wellness Magazine. The magazine set the mood in the best way possible, with the caption, “Welcome to our Men’s Health issue featuring 8x Olympic medalist Nathan Adrian @nathangadrian as we share his journey with testicular cancer,”.??

• Chase Smith?

Ewing Sarcoma was the reason for Chase Smith’s untimely demise. But the swimming prodigy lived enough to see himself registered at the national level when he was just 14 years old. However, cancer stalled his Olympic dream before the trials.?

• Najla Brannin?

The six-time Junior Olympian in artistic swimming survived several forms of cancer. Going through the diseases for the last five years, she has epitomized motivation.?

• Eric Shanteau?

Two-time World Champion Eric Shanteau didn’t call it a day even after being informed about his cancer. In 2008, he went through an operation to cure the disease. After that, he made a strong comeback by winning gold in the 2012 London Olympics.?

• Sammie Jo Porter?

Sammie was diagnosed with cancer when she was 11 years old. Even after that, the former Mutigers swimmer continued to participate in different competitions. In 2012, her treatment brought a preferable result. Since that year, Sammie has been participating in Swim Across America to raise awareness of cancer.?

The road to motivation?

Apart from those names, there have been others who made a strong comeback from the disease. As a survivor, Nathan Adrian has called out his motivation coming from the surrounding people. He has summed it up as, ?It?s hard, and people are so wonderful being there for you. It?s not something that other people really understand. The more stories you can tell, the less alone other people will feel.??

Read more: Despite Not Clinching a Spot in 2020 Olympics, Jason Lezak?s Successor Could Be Competing for a Spot in the 2024 US Swim Team

Sammie Jo Porter has carried the same view. That has driven her to continue with the awareness program. Now, let?s see how their messages on the disease pan out in the common populace.?

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