Olympic medalist Lina Nielsen is taking a stand against misconceptions surrounding multiple sclerosis (MS) with the launch of the new ‘MS without Barriers’ campaign. Nielsen, who at 28 years old assisted Team GB in winning bronze in the women’s 4x400m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, was diagnosed with MS when she was just 17 years old. Initially, lacking knowledge about the chronic disease led her to believe that her athletic aspirations were no longer attainable. Through her own experience, Nielsen recognised the importance of understanding how MS can impact individuals of any age, dispelling the belief that it only affects the elderly.
The MS without Barriers campaign, a collaboration between Lina Nielsen and Sanofi, aims to increase awareness about MS and combat misconceptions and stigma associated with the condition. Reflecting on her own journey, Nielsen remarked, “I was scared because I thought I would be in a wheelchair and my life would completely change, and I could never continue my dreams of going to an Olympics.” MS is characterised as an autoimmune neurological disorder affecting the brain and spinal cord, with the body’s immune system targeting its nerves. Interestingly, MS affects women 2.5 times more frequently than men.
Nielsen and her identical twin sister Laviai, also diagnosed with MS in 2021, have demonstrated that living with MS does not restrict one’s capabilities. Both sisters have competed for Team GB in athletics, securing bronze medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. With MS presenting unique challenges to each person, Nielsen emphasises the importance of perseverance and adaptation. Following her Olympic success, Nielsen is keen on further challenging herself to maintain her position in the critical relay event that transformed her life.
With over 150,000 individuals in the UK living with MS, Nielsen has allied with global pharmaceutical company Sanofi to establish the ‘MS without Barriers’ campaign, focusing on raising awareness and providing education about the disease. Beyond media and social media initiatives, Nielsen will engage in discussions at the House of Commons later this year to explore ways to support the MS community. Expressing her enthusiasm for being a prominent figure in a cause she deeply cares about, Nielsen stated, “I wish I had someone there to show how you could continue living life to the best that you can and to not let it limit you.”
The ‘MS without Barriers’ campaign aims to dismantle misconceptions about MS, offer education and awareness resources to the public. By collaborating with the MS Society and MS Together, Nielsen intends to reach out to individuals navigating a new MS diagnosis, providing them with hope and guidance to lead fulfilling lives despite the challenges posed by the condition. Nielsen’s journey from initial diagnosis to Olympic success serves as an inspiring testament to resilience and determination in the face of adversity.