Original article: Frankfurter Allgemeine | Translation: Ulla Fischer - Canoe slalom athlete Sideris Tasiadis is fighting hard to quality for the Olympic games, despite fighting against leukemia with his partner- against all odds.

Less than four years ago, Sideris Tasiadis celebrated his biggest triumph to date. The athlete from Augsburg surprisingly won the silver medal at the Olympic Games in London. Already back then, it became clear that the future holds great things for an athlete with such mental strength and feeling for water.

So it was an even bigger surprise when Tasiadis dropped out during semi final on the same race course at the World Championships last weekend with three touched gates and six penalty seconds. A result one could consider a disappointment- but only at first glance. Sport and achievements are not all for the athlete. It has been nearly two years since his girlfriend Claudia Bär, also a canoe athlete, received the leukemia diagnosis. From one day to the next, the green and red-white striped gates on the white water course stepped into the background. An extreme psychological strain for the only 25 year old. Maybe, it is the open and positive mindset of his partner that has helped himself to cope with the situation. Apart from canoe pictures, she frequently posts pictures of herself, showing a young woman, who despite being marked by her disease, is smiling on every single one of them. Claudia Bär imparts an unbelievable positive attitude and contagious optimism. You would think someone that has such a strong partner by his side needs to be strong himself whether on or next to the race course.

Before the World Championships, Tasiadis ensured to be well prepared for the race. Anything but normal, seeing that he is constantly commuting between training, his police schooling and often also the hospital. “Through this situation, I have grown as a person”, said Tasiadis. Last year, he even cancelled his World Championship attendance despite being one of the favorites.

Lately, things worsened again. Claudia Bär had to go back to hospital for treatment. Nevertheless, he decided to compete at the World Championships. “I know she is in good hands at the moment” commented the athlete. After all, he had to think about the Olympic Games and the important points for the national qualification. Only one German boat per discipline will be going to Rio. “It will be a tough fight to be able to go to the Games”, said Tasiadis. However, compared to his personal fight, probably the easier one. Should he qualify for the Olympic Games during one of the four qualification competitions in spring, he could show that despite-or maybe due to- difficult personal circumstances one can achieve great things.