BLUME Pernille

General
MEDICAL DIFFICULTIES
In 2019 she returned to the pool after recovering from a blood clot in her brain and surgery on a small hole in her heart. "It was really difficult when I came back. I was operated on in January [2019] and it was really hard to return. My coaches quit their jobs, so I had to move. There's been a lot of changes and adaptations to get used to. But I'm happy where I am at now." (International Swimming League's Youtube channel, 04 Nov 2019; ekstrabladet.dk, 09 Nov 2019)

ROLE MODEL
She says she has felt greater responsibility to be a role model after winning gold at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "I got a different voice after the Olympics, suddenly a lot of people wanted to hear what I was saying. I remember saying a prayer after the Olympics that went something like this - 'Please universe, help me use this Olympic medal in a way that helps lift other people, that inspires people and may it be greater than myself and serve a greater purpose'. I felt so grateful for my medal and my newfound voice, and I will never take that for granted." (danishendurance.com, 17 Sep 2020)

BREAK
She took a break from swimming at the start of 2016, and returned to the sport in time to compete at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. "It was a really difficult time and I had to figure out how to enjoy what I am doing. It was really important for me to take some time out and just clear my head and come back to the pool with new energy." (ONS, 14 Aug 2016)