Vusumuzi Dube
The life of an Olympian is demanding, but throw parenthood into the mix and it becomes a Herculean task.
The Olympic Games Paris 2024 hopes to ease the challenges that athlete parents face worldwide by featuring an on-site nursery, the first of its kind, aimed at providing an opportunity to spend more quality time with their children during the Olympics.
This Olympic Village nursery, spearheaded by the American track star Allyson Felix, will support supermums like Clarisse Agbegnenou, Naomi Osaka and Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce in balancing their podium dreams with parenthood as they tackle the tatami, court and track.
IOC Athlete Commissioner Felix said: “I just knew how difficult it was to compete at the top level after I had my daughter and some practical things were really hard. And so when I joined the Athletes Commission of the IOC, I really wanted to be that voice for athlete moms and just take away one less thing for them to worry about in the pressure of competition. I think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat.”
“Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes,” said Finland’s double Olympic medallist and the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho.“This nursery allows that to happen while also giving athletes the opportunity to focus on the Games.”
The nursery will be located at the heart of the Athlete Village Plaza, and Pampers-brand wipes and diapers will be available for use. It will also provide a sanctuary where athletes can play with and feed their babies away from the hustle and bustle of the Olympic Games.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter