13 Athletes Who Competed In The Olympics While Pregnant

Becoming a source of inspiration for women across the globe, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez competed in the Olympics while carrying “a little Olympian" inside her. Yes, she is pregnant and no, it didn’t stop her. There have been mixed reactions from her fans and, while some are congratulating her others can be seen questioning her decision. But, did you know that she wasn’t the first one to do it?

Here is a list of 13 female athletes who gracefully competed in the Olympics while pregnant. 

1. Magda Julin (Sweden) 

Magda won a gold in figure skating (ladies’ single) while she was 4 months pregnant at the 1920 Olympic games in Antwerp. 

2. Michele Granger (U.S.) 

Michele helped her team bag gold in softball, during the 1996 Atlanta Olympics while she was 3 months pregnant.

3. Lisa Brown-Miller (U.S.) 

Lisa was unaware that she was 8 weeks pregnant during the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Her team bagged a gold in Ice Hockey. 

4. Anky van Grunsven (Netherlands) 

The equestrian has won 3 golds in the Olympics, one of which she bagged in the 2004 Summer Games held in Athens, while 5 months pregnant. 

5. Elinor Barker (Great Britain) 

Elinor found out she was pregnant after she competed in the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo and bagged a silver medal in cycling.

6. Martina Valcepina (Italy)

Martina first represented Italy in the 2010 Vancouver Games at the age of 17. She returned in the 2014 Winter Games held at Sochi and won a bronze while carrying twins. 

7. Cornelia Pfohl (Germany)

Cornelia has done it not once but twice. The German archer competed and won a bronze in the 2000 Olympics held in Sydney, while in the early stages of her pregnancy. She again competed while she was pregnant in the 2004 Athens Games. 

8. Kristie Moore (Canada)

An alternate on the Canada women’s curling team, Moore was almost 6 months into pregnancy when she competed in the 2010 Vancouver Games. Her team bagged silver. 

9. Amelia Kober (Germany)

Kober represented her country in the 2006 Turin Games and won a silver medal in snowboarding while she was 2 months pregnant. 

10. Nur Suryani Mohd Taibi (Malaysia)

Nur represented Malaysia in the Women's 10-meter air rifle event at the 2012 Summer Olympics while she was 8 months pregnant.

11. Kerri Walsh Jennings (U.S.)

In the 2012 London Olympics, Kerri bagged gold in beach volleyball and what made it even more special was that she was pregnant at that time. 

12. Kim Rhode (U.S.)

Kim Rhodes participated in the 2012 Summer Games in London and bagged a gold in shooting. She did it while she was carrying a baby inside her. 

13. Anna-Maria Johansson (Sweden)

The Swedish handball player competed in the 2012 London Games while she was 3 months pregnant. 

Not Every Pregnancy Is Same

Parentune expert Dr Janardhan Reddy writes, “Nada’s participation is inspiring, but it highlights the importance of consulting healthcare providers before engaging in intense physical activity during pregnancy. Each pregnancy is unique, and while staying active can be beneficial, it must be done under close medical supervision. Pregnant athletes should listen to their bodies, stay hydrated, and avoid high-risk activities. Ultimately, personal health and safety should always take precedence.”

While safety is a major concern, we need to understand that players have to undergo proper medical evaluation and won’t be allowed to compete if they are considered medically unfit. Nada and other pregnant athletes who have competed till now must have done it after careful consideration. We need to respect the fact that every pregnancy is unique and hence we should not judge someone based on a generalized opinion. What do you think about that?