Olympians living with CHD

If you’re anything like us, you’ve been hooked on the halfpipe and swooning over the skaters while watching the 2026 Winter Olympics.

With this year’s games taking place in Milano Cortina, we wanted to take a moment to highlight Olympians past and present who were born with congenital heart defects and still reached the highest levels of sport.

Their stories show that CHD can be part of your history without always limiting your future and so we wanted our families to be able to spot a fellow famous heart warrior out on the slopes!

Shaun White
Snowboarding

Shaun White was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and underwent open heart surgeries during infancy.

Despite that tough beginning, he went on to become one of the most decorated snowboarders in Olympic history. He is a five-time Olympian and a three-time Olympic gold medalist in half-pipe snowboarding.

Lauren Holiday (née. Cheney)
Football

Lauren had open heart surgery at the age of three to repair an atrial septal defect (ASD). She later represented the United States women’s team, playing midfield and forward.

Lauren is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and FIFA Women’s World Cup champion.

Alfie Hewett
Wheelchair Tennis

Alfie is one of Britain’s most successful Paralympians and the current World No. 1 in wheelchair tennis singles and doubles. He was born with Tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and underwent open heart surgery at just six months old. He has since gone on to earn multiple Grand Slam titles and three Paralympic silver medals. Alfie was warded an OBE in 2023 for his services to tennis.

Nwankwo Kanu
Football

Kanu, a celebrated Nigerian footballer and Olympic Gold medallist, was born with a congenital issue affecting his aortic valve and eventually required corrective heart surgery. During his club career, he became a familiar face in the Premier League, playing for Arsenal, West Bromwich Albion, and Portsmouth. He has since used his platform – including the Kanu Heart Foundation – to support children living with CHD.

Roger Black MBE
Athletics

Roger has spoken openly about living with a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital condition affecting roughly 1 in 50 people, and later needing open heart surgery. Despite this, he built an exceptional Olympic career as part of Team GB, winning silver medal in the 400 metres sprint.

He also has incredible achievements at the European and World Championships.

Dana Vollmer
Swimming

Dana was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome at the age of 14. After undergoing an ablation procedure, she always trained and competed with an external defibrillator (AED) close by.

She went on to claim multiple Olympic medals, becoming one of the sport’s standout figures and a true inspiration to so many.

These athletes demonstrate to heart warriors everywhere that a diagnosis doesn’t always have to define your pathway – and that drive, courage and belief can lead to remarkable achievements.

Stories like these remind us why our work at CHSF is vital and it matters. With world-class care and awesome support behind them, children with CHD can grow up to shape their own futures in incredible ways.

Support local heart warriors and their families by making a donation today. Empowered lives, because of you.