There has never been a more dominant basketball player than the Latvian Uliana Semenova. If she played, she won. Over two decades, from her debut at 16 years old in 1968 until her retirement in 1988, her Daugava Riga team won the European Women's Basketball League 11 times, and the Soviet Union dominated two Olympic Games, three World Championships, and even 10 European Championships. In fact, during her 18 years of activity, the USSR only lost one game. Standing at 2.13 meters tall and weighing 135 kilograms, she was unstoppable.
That's why, when the Iron Curtain began to lift, in 1987 she signed with Tintoretto Getafe and in 1988 with Valenciennes Orchies in France, leaving her mark in both countries despite her physical decline. However, since she left the courts, Semenova's life was far from successful, until her passing this Friday.
"Latvia has suffered another great loss: the passing of the sports legend Uliana Semenova. The golden girl of Olympic, World, and European basketball, a very warm and understanding person. Our deepest condolences to Uliana's family, colleagues, and fans," stated the President of Latvia, Edgars Rinkevics, in a message on X, which did not mention Semenova's struggles in her later years.
Afflicted with acromegaly, a hormonal disorder causing the pituitary gland to produce excessive growth hormone, the Latvian soon began to experience mobility issues, underwent several surgeries, and fought until the end to cover her living expenses. Due to Soviet regulations during her active years, she was unable to save money - let alone build wealth - and after basketball, she couldn't pursue other occupations.
Three years ago, upon learning of her financial struggles, former players from Club Clermont Université organized a fundraiser to assist their former rival, sparking a wave of solidarity in European basketball. "She is not abandoned, but she does not have a large pension and needs to invest 9,000 euros to adapt her apartment and should be fitted with a prosthesis. We hope that as many people as possible will participate because sports are not just about medals, but also about friendship, brotherhood, and travel," stated Jacky Chazalon, a legend of French basketball. With over 20,000 euros raised, Semenova's medical needs were covered, and a small renovation of her home was completed.
The fundraising campaign also involved her former teammates from Tintoretto, where she was a League runner-up and where she "left a very pleasant memory among her teammates and rivals," as reported on Friday by the Spanish Basketball Federation, which conveyed "on behalf of all Spanish basketball, their deepest condolences to the family and friends of Uliana Semenova, as well as to the Latvian Federation."