For athlete Allyson Felix, holding the title of most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history is not her only point of pride. Felix is also a mother of two and a pioneer for parents in elite sports after recently introducing the first ever nursery to the Olympic Village.
Why it Matters:
Despite many Olympians being parents in addition to high-ranking athletes, childcare is something the Olympics has often overlooked. Felix, who had her first child in 2018, two years before competing in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, shared that taking part in the competition was made more difficult by trying to manage her parental responsibilities without a place dedicated to doing so.
“It was even hard in ways I didn’t expect, like staying in hotels, washing bottles, all the things you have to bring, feeding your baby in stadiums, who’s going to watch your baby. It was challenging, but I had a lot of learnings of how things can be better,” Felix said.
Key Points:
- According to CNN, athletes with children in the 2020 Olympics were directed to a small room outside the perimeter of the Olympic Village to breastfeed and tend to other childcare responsibilities.
- The nursery, established by the International Olympic Committee and the Paris 2024 Organizing Committee, is located in the center of the Olympic and Paralympic Plaza and features a play area, designated private breastfeeding space, and changing facilities with products provided by Pampers, a well known sponsor of Felix’s. These spaces, which can be booked by athletes in advance, can accommodate up to six family members.
- According to Felix, the space is meant to offer athletes a space that feels like home for them and their families while they are away at competition.
Broader View:
- The nursery is the first of its kind to launch despite women having competed in the Olympics since 1900.
- In the past it was assumed athlete parents, mothers in particular, would not return to their sport after having children. However, a 2023 study stated 60% of elite female runners planning to become pregnant also had plans to return to the track after pregnancy. This trend is not limited to track athletes, as the return to sport post-pregnancy has also been seen in the careers of tennis all-star Serena Williams, Women’s World Cup standout Alex Morgan, and many others.
- While the response to the nursery’s construction has included calls for further resources and support, Felix is proud of the symbol of progress the nursery represents: “This is a shift in culture,” Felix said. “It’s saying that motherhood isn’t the end.”
