Two Heartbeats on the Podium

The Olympics Paris 2024 will be remembered for its record-breaking runs, dazzling performances—and two quiet revolutions taking place inside the bodies of female athletes.

In a moment that rippled far beyond the arena, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez revealed she had been fencing not just for herself or her country, but for two. At seven months pregnant, she competed in her third Olympic Games, finishing 16th—her best result to date.

“Athletes on the podium? There were actually three,” she wrote in a now-viral Instagram post, her foil raised high and her bump proudly visible.

A day later, Azerbaijani archer Yaylagul Ramazanova stepped up to her target. Six and a half months pregnant, she felt her baby kick—then hit a perfect 10.

Both women competed with strength, precision and an almost mythic calm. But make no mistake: this is not myth. This is female biology meeting elite performance. And the world should be watching closely.

Pregnancy, Performance and the Myths That Still Linger

For decades, the idea of a pregnant athlete—especially one performing on the world’s biggest stage—has been treated as something between a medical risk and a media curiosity.

Historically, those who did compete while pregnant were either early in their term (and often didn’t yet know), or they were framed as outliers: freakishly strong, dangerously brave, or simply unaware.

But Nada Hafez and Yaylagul Ramazanova weren’t lucky or reckless. They were trained, informed, and choosing to trust in their bodies’ power—not its fragility.

And the science now backs them up.

Dr Kathryn Ackerman, co-chair of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee’s women’s health task force, explains:

“If an athlete is in good condition going into pregnancy and there are no complications, it’s safe to train and compete at a high level.”

Of course, there are exceptions—sports with high fall risk or intense abdominal strain may carry greater dangers. But in fencing, archery, or even tennis, there’s growing consensus that pregnancy need not be a disqualifier. It might, in fact, become an advantage.

The Female Body: Burdened, But Never Broken

Women’s bodies have long been seen as a complication in sport. The menstrual cycle was viewed as a liability. Pregnancy? A full stop. Motherhood? Career-ending.

And yet, over and over, female athletes have shattered that narrative.

From Serena Williams winning the Australian Open while pregnant, to beach volleyball star Kerri Walsh Jennings unknowingly competing in London at five weeks pregnant, women have always been capable—whether or not society was ready to accept it.

Now, with more research, visibility, and advocacy, we’re finally starting to grasp what the female body has known all along: pregnancy isn’t an obstacle. It’s a reality. And sometimes, it’s even a superpower.

Still, the Choice Is Not Simple

Let’s be clear: none of this is easy. Competing while pregnant takes more than training—it takes risk assessment, emotional labour, and immense sacrifice. Decisions male athletes never have to consider.

Just ask Serena.

“Believe me, I never wanted to have to choose between tennis and a family,” she wrote in Vogue. “I don’t think it's fair. If I were a guy, I wouldn’t be writing this.”

And she’s right.

While male athletes are cheered on as their partners carry the physical toll of parenthood, their female counterparts are forced to do it all—or step back. And in many parts of the world, that choice isn’t even available. Dominican track star Franchina Martinez says most women in her country simply retire after becoming pregnant, believing there’s no return path.

Which is why this moment in Paris matters so much.

It’s not just about one or two athletes. It’s about proving that women can carry life and ambition simultaneously. That their careers don’t end when their bodies begin something extraordinary.

A New Chapter in the Legacy of Women in Sport

Nada Hafez and Yaylagul Ramazanova didn’t just compete. They competed while growing life. And in doing so, they gifted us a glimpse into the full capacity of the female body—not just as a vessel, but as a force.

“I think it’s awesome,” said U.S. bronze medallist Casey Kaufhold. “She shot really well, and I think it’s really cool because my coach is also a mother… She’s been doing so much to support her kids even while she’s away.”

That’s the ripple effect: young athletes watching this will know they don’t have to choose. Coaches, federations and funding bodies will have to catch up.

One day, Ramazanova’s child will hear the story: "I went to the Olympic Games—and you were there with me.”

We’ll hear many more stories like it. Because the future of sport isn’t just strong, fast, and fierce.

It’s also pregnant.