Egyptian fencer and three-time Olympian Nada Hafez took to Instagram to reveal she was seven months pregnant when competing at the Paris Olympics 2024. Hafez beat USA’s Elizabeth Tartakovsky in the first round of the women’s individual sabre competition before being knocked out by Jeon Hayoung of the Republic of Korea. In her post, she revealed she was “ carrying a little Olympian.” She added, “ My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous; however worth it. I’m writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the round of 16!” and that she was “lucky” to share the trust of her husband and family. Her resilience and determination to compete during such a critical stage of her pregnancy have been incredibly inspiring. Hafez, 26 years old, was previously an Egyptian national gymnastics champion with a degree in medicine. She is a three-time Olympian who won gold medals in the individual and team sabre events at the 2019 African Games. She finished Monday’s competition officially ranked 16th, her best result in three Olympic appearances. Additionally, the Paris Olympics 2024 is the first game with a nursery in the Olympic Village for parent athletes to meet their children privately. It offers secluded spaces for those who wish to breastfeed and an open playtime area. “Many athletes are balancing their sporting careers and family. I know how this feels as I competed at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games as a mother with a young child. Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes.” said IOC AC Chair Emma Terho in the facility’s announcement.
01 Aug 2024
Sneha
