Picture this—a top-tier athlete, a fencer no less, competing on the world stage at the Olympics. Now, imagine her doing this while seven months pregnant! Yes, you read that correctly. Nada Hafez, an Egyptian Olympian, has revealed she was seven months pregnant while competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Talk about multitasking!
Nada is not new to the Olympics; this was her third time on this whirlwind adventure. She shared this delightful bombshell on Instagram with a couple of pictures of herself in action and a caption that read, “7 MONTHS PREGNANT OLYMPIAN!” I bet some jaws just hit the floor.
Her post was a mix of joy and a bit of that cheeky humor we all love. “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,” she wrote. If that doesn’t make you smile, I don’t know what will. She went further, adding, “This specific Olympics was different; Three times *Olympian* but this time carrying a little Olympian one!”
Despite being in her third trimester, Nada reached the round of 16 by defeating American Elizabeth Tartakovsky in women’s saber before eventually falling to Jeon Hayoung from South Korea. This feat is nothing short of extraordinary and shows just how incredible and determined she is.
It wasn’t just about the fencing. Nada made sure to let the world know how grateful she is for her support system. She gave a heartfelt shoutout to her husband, whom she wed in 2023, and her family for their unwavering trust and support. A little gratitude goes a long way, folks.
This isn’t Nada’s first rodeo—she’s a veteran of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics too. However, Paris 2024 was undoubtedly special, not just for the athlete and her soon-to-arrive baby but for the family-friendly atmosphere that the organizers worked hard to create.
Apparently, the Paris Olympics will go down in history for its family-friendly initiatives. The Olympic Village featured a nursery for athlete parents to spend time with their children during the Games—a first, according to the International Olympic Committee. How amazing is that? Parents competing on one of the biggest stages can still have family time. Paris, you’ve outdone yourself!
With such measures in place, it’s only fitting to have such heartwarming stories interwoven with the fierce competition. The Olympics is proving itself to be more inclusive and accommodating, ensuring that future Olympians, even those in their mothers’ wombs, are part of the experience.
A huge round of applause for Nada Hafez for showing us that being a world-class athlete and a mom-to-be aren’t mutually exclusive. Her story is an inspiration, a true testament to dedication and passion. Here’s wishing her all the best in her future endeavors, both on and off the piste!
And with that, folks, let’s toast to incredible women like Nada who continue to break barriers and show us that anything is possible, even if you are seven months pregnant at the Olympics.
