14 Olympian Moms Who Made Headlines At the Paris Games

Motherhood is tough on its own, but adding the pressures of the Olympics into the mix make it seem an almost impossible task. Yet, this year’s athlete-moms have taken on this feat, deserving even greater recognition for redefining what it means to be an Olympian. Through their stories of resilience and triumph, the Olympic moms have shown that they are unstoppable.

ALSO READ: Parenthood Wins! Olympic Village Launches First-Ever Nursery

Meet the Olympic Moms Who Shone Brightly at The Paris Games

Nadia Hafez, Egypt

You probably have heard of Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez, who made headlines at the Olympics. After exiting the women’s sabre competition in the round of 16, Hafez stunned the world by revealing she had been competing in Paris while seven months pregnant!

“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” Hafez announced on Instagram.

“The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life and sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it,” she added. The 2024 Games marked Hafez’s third appearance at the Olympics; she previously competed in Rio and Tokyo.

Kim Yeji, South Korea

South Korean sharpshooter, Kim Yeji, has taken social media by storm after her debut at the Paris Olympics, where she won silver in the women’s 10m air pistol event on July 28.

One user on X shared a photo of the 31-year-old athlete and remarked, "This is the most aura I have ever seen in an image." In the photo, Kim is leaning back confidently with one hand relaxed on her hip and the other gripping a pistol, her gaze intense as she aims through her shooting glasses. The post has thousands of likes, proving her presence and skill captivated social media.

Adding to her cool factor is the towel with a stuffed elephant Kim Yeji brought into competition with her. It belongs to her five-year-old daughter.

Zeng "Tania" Zhiying, Chile

At 58, Zeng Zhiying, who also goes by Tania, made history as one of the oldest athletes ever to compete, and the oldest from Chile.

Zeng used to compete for China before she moved to Chile, where she has lived for the past 35 years. After a long hiatus from the sport, the mom of two returned to table tennis during the pandemic and ascended to become one of South America's top players.

Despite facing loss in the preliminary round, she expressed her joy to the media, saying, "But I don't feel very sad, because this is sport. My husband, my sons, everyone I love and care about were there shouting my name. I feel so content."

Helen Glover, Great Britain & Lucy Spoors, Brooke Francis, New Zealand

Veteran Helen Glover from Great Britain and New Zealanders Lucy Spoors and Brooke Francis clinched medals in rowing on August 1. Remarkably, Spoors and Francis had given birth just a few months apart and had returned to the sport less than two years later.

Glover, who had openly shared the challenges of balancing breastfeeding with intense training, was seen celebrating her win with a high-five for her children immediately after crossing the finish line. She also embraced her kids after the medal ceremony.

Spoors and Francis also brought their toddlers in Paris to witness their mothers' achievements. Spoors, now the mother of a baby boy, reflected on the significance of their success for all parents.

"It's no secret that it hasn't been easy," Spoors told Sky TV. "I think about my friends who are mothers, and what they go through every day. Mums are incredible. I have so much more respect for my mum and now, watching what all mums and parents do, it's special," she added.

Yaylagul Ramazanova, Azerbaijan

At six-and-a-half months pregnant, archer Yaylagul Ramazanova competed in her event and advanced to the top 16. In a memorable moment, she felt her baby kick just as she was about to shoot her final arrow. With a perfect 10, she ended her performance on a high note.

In an interview with Xinhua News, Yaylagul shared, “I felt my baby kick me before I shot this last arrow. It was like a sign, and then I hit a 10.”

The competition ended in a 5-5 tie with her opponent, An Qixuan from China. The final shoot-off determined the winner. Yaylagul's score of 9 made her the champion, showing that her skill and a touch of maternal magic contributed to her success.

Allyson Felix

Allyson Felix, an 11-time Olympic medalist and mother of two, teamed up with Pampers to launch the first-ever nursery at the Olympic Village.

The nursery, placed at the heart of the Athletes' Village Plaza, provided a space for Olympic mothers to bond with and breastfeed their babies while competing.

The most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history emphasized the critical need to support athlete-mothers by providing dedicated spaces where they can unwind and care for their children during the Games.

Clarisse Agbégnénou, France

French judo champion, Clarisse Agbegnenou, secured a bronze medal in the 63kg weight category at the Olympics.

Agbegnenou became a mother to her daughter, Athena, in 2022. Despite the challenges of juggling family life and an athletic career, she continued to excel in judo, winning her sixth world title just 11 months after Athena's birth. 

During her training, Agbegnenou often paused to feed Athena, nestling her baby in the folds of her kimono. This dedication highlights her commitment to both her sport and her role as a mother.

Paige Crozon, Canada

Despite not winning a medal this year, Canadian Olympic basketball star Paige Crozon is still an inspiration to her daughter.

Crozon's mother and daughter, Poppy, were in the stands when Canada's team lost in the 3x3 basketball semi-finals to Germany. They later finished fourth after losing to the U.S. Expecting Poppy to feel sad or disappointed after the game, Crozon was surprised by her daughter's reaction.

Poppy didn’t mention the score or the outcome; she was simply proud of her mom. Crozon told CBC News, “What she takes away is that we gave our all to something we love...I’m so proud that those are the messages and the examples she is taking away.”

Keesja Gofers, Australia

As the Australian women’s water polo team, the Stingers, were introduced for the gold medal match, athlete Keesja Gofers spotted her biggest supporter in the crowd. Her daughter, Teleri, had been cheering from the stands throughout the team's journey to the Olympic podium.

"When I walked out, I saw her right in front of me, and we made eye contact, and she pointed and waved," Gofers said, tears welling up as she spoke to reporters at La Defense Arena.

Estavana Polman, Netherlands

No matter how intense the game becomes, Estavana Polman always finds a moment for her child on the sidelines. Polman was spotted taking a break from the Netherlands' handball match against France to hold her 6-year-old daughter, Jesslynn.

"Everything is about our little girl now," Polman says on the Olympics website. "Sometimes when you lose, you are awake the whole night. Then you look at her in bed and think: ‘Tomorrow we bring her to school again.’”

Adrianna Sulek-Schubert

Polish heptathlete Sulek-Schubert welcomed her first child in February this year via cesarean section. Throughout her pregnancy, she continued training, a choice that sparked controversy but also garnered support from fellow athletes. Remarkably, she returned to competitive heptathlon just six months after giving birth, showcasing her resilience and dedication to the sport.

Auriane Mallo-Breton, France

Auriane Mallo-Breton, who earned silver medals in both Women's Individual Epee and the team event at the 2024 Games, celebrated her victories with her 3-year-old son, Mathis. Balancing the demands of elite fencing and motherhood, Mallo-Breton has often spoken about how her son has become a source of motivation.

Click here for tips on how to encourage your child to be physically active.