With the Paris Olympics closing ceremony fresh in our minds, people across the globe continue to marvel at what humans are capable of. We want to take a moment to celebrate the incredible stories that are emerging again and again from Olympians showing us how important parenting is to them.
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games have not been without controversy, but one thing we can safely say we are heartened to see is that stories of parenthood have taken centre stage in so many interviews and media stories. And, for the first time ever, there was a nursery in the athlete’s village!
Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track and field Olympian ever, was instrumental in setting up the nursery, to provide a quiet environment and support for athletes who are parenting young children. The nursery featured a private breastfeeding area and its existence showed a great respect for parenthood, boldly stating to the onlooking world: parenthood is no barrier to success.
“He made me who I am today”
Joe Clarke, Olympic Slalom Canoeist, credits his young son after winning a silver medal
Olympic fencer Nada Hafez announced on her social media during the games that there was in fact an extra person on the platform with her, as she was competing while seven months pregnant! Every pregnancy is different, but for Nada it was safe and possible to do this and so she didn’t have to put her dreams on hold while carrying a child.
Amber Rutter, sharp-shooting women’s skeet silver-medallist came to the games without her three-month baby Tommy, as she felt that she needed to focus on her sport and it would be hard to be in mum-mode as well as battling it out in the greatest sporting games on the planet. Her husband James respected her need to throw herself into her mission, and to her surprise and joy, he also understood her need to be close to her young son in this special moment in her life. He followed her to Paris, waited secretly in the wings so Amber could focus on the games, before reuniting mother and baby as soon as she’d won silver!
Everyone experiences pregnancy and parenthood differently. For the incredible stories arising from Olympians, there is always a foundation of the loving support of spouses, coaches, family and friends as well as an understanding of the importance of parenting and work/life balance even at the top echelons of sport.
Not every woman is fortunate enough to have the support around her to make pregnancy, birth and parenthood or adoption as easy and joyful as it can be. Life Charity are here to change that.
Offering the support a woman needs, right from wondering whether she is pregnant, through free counselling, practical support and even housing, we want to be here to every step of the journey into motherhood.
If you or someone you know is pregnant in unexpected or crisis circumstances, contact our free national helpline here. We’re here for you before, during and after pregnancy or pregnancy loss. Whoever you are and whatever your circumstance, Life will walk with you on your journey.
Photo: Amber Rutter, Olympic silver medallist in Women’s Skeet Shooting, BBC News.
If you are interested in supporting Life’s work, see how you can get involved here.
Write a Reply or Comment