Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has revealed she was “carrying a little Olympian” when competing while seven months pregnant at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
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.
The 26-year-old then made the remarkable revelation on her Instagram page, declaring: “7 MONTHS PREGNANT OLYMPIAN!”
“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!
“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!”
Hafez went on to say she was “lucky” to share the trust of her husband and family, finishing the post: “This specific Olympics was different; Three times *Olympian* but this time carrying a little Olympian one!”
Parent athletes have been supported at Paris 2024 by an Olympic first, a nursery on site at the village.
The IOC and Paris 2024 Organising Committee introduced the nursery to ensure athletes can balance competition and spending quality time with their young children.
And so, should she go on to compete in the fencing at LA28, these are facilities Hafez may well make use of in four years’ time.
