Parenthood Wins! Olympic Village Launches First-Ever Nursery

The Olympics haven’t started yet but we are already celebrating a win. A win for parenthood after the biggest sporting event announced that they are launching the first-ever nursery in the Olympic Village for Paris 2024.

Olympics Will Have First Nursery In Olympic Village

For the first time in history, there will be a dedicated nursery within the Olympic Village. This remarkable addition not only marks a pivotal moment for the Games but also signals a monumental triumph for parent athletes worldwide.

“I think it really tells women that you can be uh choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat.” - 11-time Olympic medalist Allyson Felix

Why did we only think of it sooner, right?

The new nursery, built in collaboration with Olympic Partner P&G, is designed for “athlete parents to spend time with their babies and young children during the Games” and “providing a space for playtime and family bonding,” according to a release from the International Olympic Committee.

“Many athletes are balancing their sporting careers and family. I know how this feels as I competed at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games as a mother with a young child,” said IOC Athletes’ Commission Chair Emma Terho.

Emma adds, “Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes. I am very grateful for the strong support of P&G from the first day our Commission put forward the suggestion.”

“It is very helpful for both parents and infants to be able to spend time together, especially at such an important moment in an athlete’s sporting life.”

Parent athlete and five-time Olympic cycling gold medallist Laura Kenny, expressed enthusiasm for this announcement. “For athletes who are also juggling their role as parents, connecting with their babies in an accessible space like the nursery supported by Pampers® will be an amazing resource, providing valuable support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes during Games time,” she said.

A Champion’s Vision

Behind this pioneering project is none other than a retired athlete and parent athlete herself who holds the title of the most decorated women athlete in Olympic track and field history.

Still making herstory in the Olympics but now supporting her co-athletes, Allyson Felix, who is now part of the Athletes' Commission at the International Olympic Committee is working with P&G for the nursery.

Working for Paris 2024, Allyson aspires to be the “voice of mom athletes” and inspire more parent athletes especially moms who shouldn’t think of feeling like they have to choose between being a mother and being a top performing athlete.

For her this space is more than just a facility. It's a supportive embrace from the Olympic community, acknowledging parent athletes dual roles. It is “really a shift in the culture. I think it really tells women that you can be uh choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game and not have to miss a beat,” Allyson shares in an interview with CBS Mornings.

Speaking from her experience, she says, “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.”

“So when I became on 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 you know in the pressure of competition,” she adds.

Her vision is to make the space a “place where they can have play time and feed  their babies and get away from a lot of the noise that happens at the Olympic Games.”

The Paris 2024 Olympic nursery is setting a new standard for sports events, proving that with the right support, parent athletes can reach the pinnacle of success without compromising on their roles as loving, dedicated parents.