Gina Boettcher

Started: She learned to swim at age 12 and joined her first club in 2014 in Potsdam, Germany. (dbs-npc.de, 26 May 2020; Athlete, 12 Sep 2019) Reason: "It was a replacement for my sport in school, but then I grew to love it and wanted to do it more often. When I swim I only think about the training and the stress around it is forgotten. In the water I feel free, like I don't have any limitations and that's what counts for me. When I jump in the water, I forget everything that annoys and stresses me out." (sportlerinside.de, 12 Oct 2021; dguv.de, 15 Aug 2021; Athlete, 15 Aug 2018) Ambition: To win a medal at the Paralympic Games in 2024 or 2028. Outside of competition, she hopes to earn a master's degree and open a fitness studio for people with impairments. (dbs-npc.de, 05 Aug 2024) Awards: In October 2021 she received the honour of signing the 'Golden Book' of Potsdam, Germany, in recognition of her performance at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (potsdam.de, 29 Oct 2021) Additional Info: FEAR OF WATER She was scared of water after she nearly drowned as a child, but she decided to learn to swim at age 12. "Learning to swim went well immediately and I had a lot of fun with it. However, I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue because I was actually totally afraid of the water. At some point I got over it." (maz-online.de, 01 Jan 2023; dbs-npc.de, 26 May 2020) EARLY LIFE She was adopted by her foster family at six months old. "All I know is that the reason I was put into foster care immediately after birth was because they thought they couldn't handle raising me. They thought it was too much work." (TRU DOKU YouTube channel, 14 Mar 2023; maz-online.de, 01 Jan 2023; reporterpreis.de, 14 Aug 2021)