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As a British athlete, Lina Nielsen has faced many hurdles while trying to compete and beat the world’s best. But sharing her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and learning more about it while still competing at the highest level has been a unique journey that she has wanted to share.

Over 130,000 people live with MS in the UK, and Nielsen is on a journey to find out exactly what the condition is and how to live with it.

As part of a short series for Sky Sports News, the 27-year-old spoke to various experts, including researchers, psychologists and those with MS, to help debunk some of the myths surrounding this condition.

Athletics was Lina’s first love at 11 years old, but it was at 13 when she first started experiencing symptoms. Initially, the disease came in the form of weakness in her left arm and was misdiagnosed as a stroke. Nielsen sat down with her mother and twin sister Laviai to remember when she first started noticing symptoms.

Lina’s mother said: “I remember the first time you had that attack, you were sleeping, and it was eight o’clock, and I was downstairs, and I called Laviai to get ready to go to school. And [Laviai] told me, ‘Lina, she cannot get up from the bed’.

“And you told me you cannot move your arm, and you cannot move your hand. I was very worried, and I said, maybe you know, you’ve become paralysed or something because I didn’t know.”

But Nielsen’s mum could not be any prouder of Lina’s determination and resilience as she continues to follow her dreams.

Lina Nielsen with her mother and sister

Last year, the British 400-metre hurdler went public with the news that she has MS after almost a decade of keeping it private.

The symptoms of a flare-up struck on the eve of her heat at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Oregon, leaving her unable to perform at her best. One of the only people to know about her diagnosis was her twin sister and best friend, Laviai.

“When I first told you about my diagnosis, do you remember when it was?” asks Lina.

Her sister replied: “Yeah, vaguely. It was in the back of a car. And I think the words you used were, ‘do you even know what I have?’ And I was like, ‘No, you didn’t tell me’. You were like, I have multiple sclerosis. And I’m like, ‘What’s that?’ And I think it was just a confusing time because I had heard it floating around, but I didn’t quite understand how a 17-year-old would have MS,” Laviai told Sky Sports News.

Lina asks if her sister remembers “supporting me through any of those relapses that I had … how you helped me get through some of those?”

Lina Nielsen with her twin sister Laviai

Her twin sister Laviai did, adding: “I think initially, because I didn’t know what it was, I went on to Google to search up the disease, and it said that you might end up in a wheelchair, and I didn’t really know what to think of that. And then you told me that there are different types of MS.”

Lina remembers her relapse at the World Championships well. “So, let’s take it back to my most recent relapse in Oregon, the World Championships. You knew straight away that something was wrong, didn’t you?”

Laviai said: “Yeah, it was your first World Championships, and you’d worked so hard to get there. And I remember you woke up, I think it was two days before your heats, and I immediately sensed that something was wrong.

“Initially, I thought maybe it was nerves, but then when you said you couldn’t feel your torso, it brought back all those memories of being 17 and not really knowing what was happening. And that was really scary.”

But have times, medicine and research changed since Nielsen’s diagnosis? She travelled around the country to find out, starting with a visit to the University of Nottingham, which has a special department investigating the effects of MS.

Dr Nikos Evangelou, a researcher at the university, said: “Until recently, we’re saying this is an autoimmune condition. So, our immune system fights infections, bugs and viruses, and so on, but sometimes it turns against ourselves.”

Nielsen asked the specialist: “One of the things that people said to me was, how are you still doing what you’re doing? And I tried to explain there’s inflammation, and once that inflammation goes down, you can regain function of that nerve.”

Nielsen speaking with Dr Nikos Evangelou on current MS research

Dr Evangelou, speaking to Nielsen, who had a sprained ankle, said: “So exactly like you have the swollen ankle. If you have the initial inflammation, there is a bit of swelling in the beginning. This swelling disrupts the function of all the nerves that go there. Exactly like your ankle.”

Nielsen also met Dr Blanca De Dios Perez from the University of Nottingham to talk about the psychology of multiple sclerosis, how the general public perceives it, and why we always think of the worst when it comes to the disease.

“There’s a lot of stigma surrounding MS. Would you say that sticking to work or exercise and movement, in my example, can become a good coping strategy for people who are newly diagnosed or have been living with MS for a while?” Nielsen asked.

Nielsen discusses the stigmas around MS

Dr Perez replied: “Work is good for health. Exercise is also very good for health, and for people with MS, it helps you with mood, overall quality of life and fatigue. So, if you continue exercising, that can be your approach towards managing your symptoms.”

When Nielsen was first diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, she initially searched, ‘What is MS?’ on Google. She was worried when she saw images of people in wheelchairs.

She added: “You’d see these big words, ‘debilitating’, ‘chronic’, ‘incurable’, and things like that. So, for me, it was really just taking the time to understand my condition.”

The British athlete was keen to get advice from those who might also be in her place. She asked: “For people newly diagnosed with MS, how can they begin to turn away from the umbrella term you see on Google and other resources and maybe understand it within themselves, how to manage or cope with their condition?”

Dr Perez replied: “Simple answer. Don’t Google it. Never Google.

“It can be really scary to Google MS, and you may see unreliable information. You might read something that might put ideas in your head that is not quite there. If you are newly diagnosed, the MS Society or MS Trust have reliable resources that are quite useful for a person who has been newly diagnosed. Learn from yourself, from your experiences, and not from another person’s experiences because you might go through a completely different pathway.”

For Nielsen, diet has played a big role in her recovery from relapsing-remitting MS. She flew back home early after her relapse last year at the World Championships in Oregon.

While preparing a salmon dish, she said: “I knew I needed to have the right foods to help my body recover, so I would make dishes like this.”

Lina Nielsen emphasises the importance of diet

Nielsen also spoke to executive director of research and external affairs Dr Sarah Rawlings from the MS Society to explore what kind of resources and support is in place for newly-diagnosed patients.

“How do you think the general public perceives MS? How do you think we can change that, and is representation important?” Nielsen wanted to know.

“Because MS affects everybody so differently, no two people’s symptoms are the same, and because so many of those symptoms are hidden, I think many people really don’t understand MS and what it actually means to live with MS daily. Which is why raising awareness is so important,” Dr Rawlings explained.

Nielsen asks: “For many people with MS, myself included, deciding a course of treatment to go on can be extremely overwhelming. And there’s so much information out there. What resources does the MS Society have to help you or support you in deciding on that big decision?”

Dr Rawlings admits it can be “hugely overwhelming”.

Nielsen speaks with Dr Sarah Rawlings from the MS Society

She adds: “There are over a dozen licenced treatments for relapsing MS. Some are starting to emerge for progressive forms of MS.

“But what treatment you might like to think about varies from person to person, depending on a whole host of different things. In the MS Society, we’ve developed a disease-modifying treatment tool called the DMT, which takes about 15 to 20 minutes. People can go onto our website and answer a whole range of different questions about them.

“And then what the tool will say is we suggest that you might want to look at these treatments and talk about them with your health care professional. But here’s what some of the options might be for you.”

Nielsen spoke to several people on her journey to discover more, including Mathew Embry. He was diagnosed with MS in 1995 and has spent his whole life learning how to manage MS through diet and exercise. Embry has not relapsed for 27 years.

Nielsen speaking with Matthew Embry on his MS journey

He said: “I was actually kicking a basketball in the basement and suddenly couldn’t really feel the ball that well. It was a combination of numbness and hypersensitivity. Very hard to explain. And then that feeling went up from my foot all the way up into my chest within about 20 minutes.”

Reflecting on her own experience, Nielsen said: “One of the things I noticed was the perception of me was, well, she’s not in a wheelchair. Why doesn’t she go to the Paralympics? So, it was the flipside which I’m not saying is the bad side, but there’s a whole part that people are missing.

“And I think we’re not seeing enough of those success stories. And I think part of that is fear of sharing. It is a personal journey that people with MS go through, but we’re also not seeing enough of that side. I look back at how I was when I was 18, looking for the resources, hope, and just any information I could get. So, one of the things I want to ask people is, what advice would you give to someone newly diagnosed with MS?”

Embry said: “There’s access to information today that was impossible 10, 20 years ago. And then you’ve got to curate your resources properly. And that’s what we try to do with my website. And find the successful people and get a hold of them.”

For anyone with MS the best advice is to seek professional medical advice. For more information, please visit the MS Trust or MS Society. If you are affected by these issues or want to talk, please contact the Samaritans on the free helpline 116 123, or visit the website www.samaritans.org

Jonny Clayton and Luke Humphries set up tantalising meeting; we’re back for more World Matchplay on Saturday at the iconic Winter Gardens as the final four battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy – live on Sky Sports Action at 8pm

Jonny Clayton crashed in a stunning six ton-plus finishes to set up a World Matchplay semi-final meeting with Luke Humphries at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Friday.

Clayton made it through to the semi-final at the Winter Gardens for the first time after a 16-12 victory over Ryan Searle with a 97.5 average, seven 180s and six ton-plus checkouts, while Humphries held off a late fightback from Damon Heta to win 16-13 in a match with more breaks of throw than holds.

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Clayton impressed with SIX amazing ton-plus checkouts

Searle and Clayton locked horns in the opening quarter-final match of the night after the pair dumped out former champions Peter Wright and Dimitri Van den Bergh to reach the last eight.

The opening four legs were shared with Clayton pinning a superb 118 checkout on double 19 to make it 2-2 before ‘Heavy Metal’ landed tops to move 3-2 in front with two 180s and a 106.40 average to Clayton’s 102.23.

The relentless pace of the contest continued with both players pummelling big numbers and huge finishes.

Clayton piled in a scintillating 121 in the eighth leg, but Somerset thrower Searle struck with a 121 on the bull to level at 5-5.

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Searle and Clayton took it in turns to check out 121 finishes in a classic encounter at the Winter Gardens

In a barnstorming battle Searle, who produced the performance of the first round to demolish Dutch legend Raymond van Barneveld, before claiming another major scalp to topple 2021 winner Peter Wright in the last 16, fired in a sixth 180 and a 96 finish to regain the upper-hand at 7-6.

Former Premier League and World Grand Prix champion Clayton added a third ton-plus checkout of the match with a 115 to level at 7-7 and he then hit a fourth thanks to a magnificent 124 on the bull to make it 8-8.

‘The Ferret’ capitalised on Searle’s missed dart at tops with a 76 outshot and he maintained his two-leg cushion for an 11-9 advantage with a 100.23 average and 65 per cent at the doubles.

Welshman Clayton broke again with a cool 100 checkout and he then planted a remarkable sixth ton-plus finish with a cracking 122 on the bull moments later to make it 13-9.

And 48-year-old Clayton made it through to his first World Matchplay semi-final by sinking double 15 with his first match dart.

To win this would mean so much for family reasons. My dad’s not very well and I want to do this for him. I’m very emotional. My dad is my biggest fan so I want to do this for him. I’m here still fighting and hopefully I’ll be here this Sunday in the final.

Jonny Clayton wants to win the Matchplay for his sick father

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Damon Heta continues to tease the fans with another Ashes inspired walk-on!

Humphries then took on Australian No 1 Heta, who has embraced the role of pantomime villain with his Ashes-themed walk-ons and he didn’t disappoint as he returned for the third test at the Empress Ballroom.

‘Cool Hand Luke’ survived a match dart to win an epic second round tie-break against Dirk van Duijvenbode and he was in no mood for a repeat as he surged into a 3-2 lead with a 102.3 average.

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Heta hit a mega 152 against Humphries before celebrating wildly

The 28-year-old sunk a neat ton on tops-tops to move 5-4 in front but Heta remained calm and composed to hang on to Humphries coat-tails on double 16.

Humphries took out 68 regain the advantage at 7-6 before taking a stranglehold on the contest as he opened up a three-leg buffer at 10-7 in a break-fest of a contest – 14 in 17 legs.

Former UK Open runner-up Humphries, who is yet to lift a televised ranking title, gained a rare hold of throw with an 81 finish for an 11-darter and a 12-8 cushion.

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Humphries booked his spot in the semi-finals with a spectacular finish!

He then struck with a 121 checkout to stretch his advantage before holding in the next leg on tops to edge closer to victory at 14-8.

‘The Heat’ was not giving up easily though as he won three legs on the spin with a skin-saving 152 to make it 15-13.

But after missing two darts at tops, world No 6 Humphries completed the win with two double 18s in a match which featured an incredible 20 breaks of throw.

Nathan Aspinall and Joe Cullen will meet in the first semi-final on Saturday night with Wales’ World Cup winner Clayton and sixth seed Humphries facing each other in the second last-four clash.

We’re back for more World Matchplay action at the iconic Winter Gardens on Saturday at 8pm as the final four battle it out for the Phil Taylor Trophy – live on Sky Sports Action from 8pm. Stream the World Matchplay and more with NOW for £21 a month

Trans darts player Noa-Lynn van Leuven talks to Sky Sports about her transitioning period, opening up to her family, the devastation of losing close friends, how winning the Denmark Open left a sour taste in her mouth and facing Beau Greaves at the Women’s Matchplay.

Van Leuven only joined the Women’s Series last year because she has been transitioning, but reaching the Event 12 final enabled her to leapfrog 2022 Blackpool semi-finalist Lorraine Winstanley and secure qualification for this year’s event in last-gasp fashion.

The 27-year-old Dutch debutant will now make history on Sunday by becoming the first trans woman to play in a TV darts tournament.

It is a dream come true for Van Leuven, who said she always “felt different” to the other kids at school when she was growing up, but now feels playing ‘Beau ‘n’ Arrow’ at the Empress Ballroom is her darting destiny.

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Van Leuven explains how comments from other players spoiled her victory at the Denmark Open

Van Leuven, who has been working as a chef de partie in her local restaurant, fell out of love with darts and quit before her transition started last year.

She said: “I never really got into a group with people around darts. I was really unhappy with myself so my darts game wasn’t that good. When you’re not feeling great then nothing in life will be really, really good. I quit darts and then I became a happier version of myself but then I really wanted to start playing darts again.

“I tried to enjoy life as much as possible. I transitioned before going through a lot of meetings with a psychologist.”

Explaining to her family and friends what she was undergoing proved one of the hardest moments in her life.

“It was really tough,” said Van Leuven. “I told a really good friend of mine and she was really supportive but she also said I had to tell my mum.

“I think it was about a week later when I told her and a week later I was already at the doctors and I think it took me a couple more months before I told my dad and other family members, but they were all really supportive to me. It was really nice which has really helped me through everything.”

There were a few people that I talked to a lot and then suddenly you don’t hear from them anymore and then you have to hear from the parents that they’re not there anymore. It is devastating,

Van Leuven on losing a few of her friends to suicide

Van Leuven opened up about the pain of losing a few of her friends to suicide at a time when she was offering support to trans people as a moderator.

“There were a few people that I talked to a lot and then suddenly you don’t hear from them anymore and then you have to hear from the parents that they’re not there any more. It is devastating,” said an emotional Van Leuven.

“They’ll all waiting on trans-health care and I think there’s a waiting list of up to three years in the Netherlands before you get your first appointment, so that’s really tough on some people.

“It is way too long to wait because a lot of people in that position are depressed, they’re really unhappy with themselves. They’re not getting the help they need, so it is way too long.”

Van Leuven researched regulations before participating in tournaments. The PDC, together with the DRA (Darts Regulation Authority) disciplinary committee, has now established rules for transgender players.

She finds the darting authorities a breath of fresh air, unlike World Athletics, which has excluded trans women who have gone through male puberty from female events in order to try to strike a balance between inclusivity and making sure there is no unfair advantage.

“I feel devastated by the people that get hit by that,” she said. “I think it’s tough for transgender people to play sports, especially when people know that you’re trans because you have a big advantage until you prove it’s not.”

Sour taste in Denmark

Van Leuven won the Denmark Open but thought she was going to be stripped of the title

Van Leuven has largely received a positive reaction from fellow female players, including Greaves and Fallon Sherrock, but winning the Denmark Open in May left a sour taste in her mouth, despite securing the biggest title of her career to date.

“After I won there was the presentation on stage and I just had a weird feeling about something that happened on stage. The other players were talking to each other and I felt it was about me,” said Van Leuven. “I was right because someone told me but I just don’t think it was the right place or time to do something like that.

“They were complaining about me, so they had to [come] forward against me and do it altogether [to throw me out of the competition] which kind of ruined the moment. I worked hard for that title. I played really good games throughout the day and in the end I won. People who had match darts against me didn’t take their opportunities but I took mine. It was a deserved win.”

Ready to take on brilliant Beau?

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Van Leuven believes there is more pressure on her opponent Beau Greaves, ahead of their first-round match at the Women’s World Matchplay

Van Leuven, whose darting hero is Raymond van Barneveld, has been getting her eye in at the local darts shop based in Heemskerk, which is about 35 minutes by road from Amsterdam.

Now it is almost time to face Greaves, who has been the most dominant force in the women’s game having scooped 15 of the last 20 PDC Women’s Series events.

Greaves’ record-breaking 15th Women’s Series title was a whitewash of Van Leuven with a 104 average, but the 27-year-old did claim a shock win over a below-par Greaves in Milton Keynes in May, something which she believes will play on Beau’s mind this Sunday.

Greaves will be quite a proposition for Dutch darts star Van Leuven

“I’m practising not much more than I would usually do. It’s just a tournament like any other. I’m trying to keep the pressure off and I don’t want to do anything more than I usually do because I know what works for me and I don’t want to over practise,” Van Leuven said.

“I couldn’t have got a worse draw but I know I can beat her, I have done it before but I always give her a good game and I play a nice level against her. I just want to give her a good game so may the best woman win.

“It’s on TV so there’s a lot of pressure on me but there’s a lot of pressure on Beau as well. A lot of people are expecting her to win the tournament so that might play into my hands.

“I’ve got nothing to lose. I’m not afraid of anyone. I have just got to bring my A-game to the stage and see where it ends.”

‘I don’t like attention but I’m getting used to it now’

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Eight of the best go head-to-head this Sunday and you can watch the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final all in one session at the Women’s World Matchplay

Having spoken to Dutch TV and the Guardian, Van Leuven will prepare to face the world’s media on the eve of her biggest match.

Being in the limelight is something the Dutchwoman might seem unprepared for, but her time in Blackpool will be well spent seeing the sights before gameday.

She promises plenty of fight and a lot of maximums, but knows it will come down to doubles for dough when going up against Beau.

“Last time I played her I averaged 83 and I didn’t even get a shot at a double,” she said. “I thought I played a good game but it wasn’t good enough but it will be different on stage. I’m going to try to hit everything I can.”

Van Leuven added she would give up her role as chef de partie and even sacrifice her favourite chocolate pastry dish for her ultimate dream – a PDC Tour card.

The winner of the Women’s World Matchplay will qualify for November’s Grand Slam of Darts and the 2023/24 World Darts Championship, in addition to the £10,000 top prize.

Fallon Sherrock will face the legendary Lisa Ashton at the Women’s Matchplay as she begins the defence of her title

2023 Women’s World Matchplay
Sunday July 23
Draw Bracket
(1) Beau Greaves vs (8) Noa-Lynn van Leuven
(4) Robyn Byrne vs (5) Rhian O’Sullivan
(2) Mikuru Suzuki vs (7) Aileen de Graaf
(3) Fallon Sherrock vs (6) Lisa Ashton

Format
Quarter-Finals – Best of seven legs
Semi-Finals – Best of nine legs
Final – Best of 11 legs

Prize Money
Winner: £10,000
Runner-Up: £5,000
Semi-Finalists: £2,500
Quarter-Finalists: £1,250
Total: £25,000

Watch the Women’s World Matchplay at the iconic Winter Gardens on Sunday from 1pm as eight of the sport’s leading female stars will battle it out for the £10,000 top prize – live on Sky Sports Action. Stream the World Matchplay and more with NOW for £21 a month.