**Olympic Medallist Lina Nielsen Steps Up Campaign to Boost MS Understanding After Major Manchester Conference**
Olympic bronze medallist Lina Nielsen has reaffirmed her lifelong commitment to increasing public understanding and awareness of multiple sclerosis (MS), following her appearance as a keynote speaker at Manchester’s NHS ConfedExpo 2025. Addressing a broad audience that included NHS professionals, local government representatives and other public sector figures at Manchester Central, Nielsen called for heightened attention to the lived reality of those diagnosed with MS.
Diagnosed herself at the age of 17, Nielsen’s journey has uniquely positioned her to spotlight the complexities and challenges that accompany an MS diagnosis. The 29-year-old athlete launched her ‘MS without Barriers’ campaign in November last year, aiming to tackle preconceptions, fight stigma, and offer greater visibility to the often-misunderstood condition. Her collaborations, particularly with pharmaceutical company Sanofi, have bolstered the profile of her campaign, bringing the conversation to influential platforms such as the NHS ConfedExpo.
“I want to keep pushing this conversation for the rest of my life,” Nielsen told the assembled delegates, emphasising the pressing need for open discussions about MS. Her personal experience shows that while the condition can be life-altering, it needn’t be life-defining. In addition to personal advocacy, Nielsen’s mission is about changing institutional views and urging those in positions of authority to listen more attentively to the MS community.
Last summer, Nielsen’s athletic prowess was on full display as part of the British 4x400m relay team, securing a bronze medal in Paris alongside her twin sister Laviai, who also lives with MS. This remarkable achievement challenged outdated views about what people with MS can accomplish, serving as a powerful counter-narrative to the idea that a diagnosis is a barrier to success.
Reflecting on her sporting career’s impact, Nielsen noted, “The Olympic platform allowed me to reach far more people and share what MS really is. My hope isn’t for everyone with MS to become elite athletes, but for all to understand the wide-ranging ways MS can manifest.” She stressed the importance of representation, encouraging others facing MS to feel empowered to share their stories, regardless of their own aspirations or physical capabilities.
Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune neurological condition that affects the brain and spinal cord; the immune system erroneously targets the protective sheath of nerve fibres, leading to a wide spectrum of symptoms. The illness impacts around one in every 400 people in the UK, with women disproportionately affected at a ratio of approximately 2.5 to 1 compared to men. Symptoms and progression vary, so the route to diagnosis can be protracted and confusing, further exacerbating public misunderstandings.
Nielsen’s latest speech comes as part of ongoing efforts with Sanofi to deliver educational initiatives and enact policy change aimed at better supporting those affected. “Receiving an MS diagnosis is not just a medical moment—it shapes how someone continues to live and feel about themselves,” she explained. “One conversation in a doctor’s office can dramatically alter the course of a person’s life.”
The campaign, she says, is about more than raising the profile of the disease; it’s about tearing down the barriers to understanding, research, and support. Increased public and political engagement is, in her view, the key to driving research and, one day, perhaps even a cure.
Looking ahead, Nielsen’s advocacy won’t pause. She is set to join a delegation visiting the House of Commons later in the year, aiming to press policymakers for concrete actions to support the MS community. Her hope is that unbiased and accurate information will narrow the gap between patient experience and societal awareness, fostering better support networks.
In the meantime, Nielsen continues to encourage questioning of perceptions around chronic conditions, urging all to look beyond visible symptoms. “This cause is even bigger than sport,” she said. “If my journey can help others, then it’s a fight worth carrying on for as long as I’m able.”
For more comprehensive details about multiple sclerosis, including support resources, visit the MS Society’s official website at mssociety.org.uk.