The Olympic Games always show us the triumph of the human spirit, but it's even more impressive when we know that some of the athletes competing on Team USA are also moms. Being a mom is one of the hardest jobs there is, and so is being an Olympic athlete. Put those two together, and these women are pretty much unstoppable. In recognition of the mothers competing at the 2024 Games, the IOC Athletes' Commission worked to provide nurseries on site for athletes with young children. According to Olympics.com, athletes can use the space to breastfeed, play with their little ones, or change diapers.
We can't wait to see these inspiring women represent the US in Paris, and we're sure their kids can't wait either.
More from LittleThings: Steph And Ayesha Curry Planned Their Fourth Baby Around The 2024 Olympic Games
Napheesa Collier
The US women's basketball team for the 2024 Olympics is stacked with moms. Napheesa Collier is one of them. Napheesa had her daughter Mila in 2022, according to her Olympics bio page. The basketball player loves to bring Mila along to her games. "She sees me doing something that I love and being successful," Napheesa said.
Diana Taurasi
Longtime WNBA star Diana Taurasi is headed to Paris as part of the US women's basketball team. In 2021, following the Tokyo Olympics, Diana's wife Penny Taylor gave birth to the couple's second child — a little girl, per People magazine. Diana and Penny also have a 6-year-old son named Leo.
Chelsea Gray
Basketball star Chelsea's wife Tipesa Gray brought their baby Lennox into the world in February 2024, according to one of Chelsea's Instagram posts. In May, the duo celebrated their first Mother's Day, and Chelsea captioned an Instagram tribute to Tipesa: "Happy FIRST Mother’s Day to you mama @tipesa_gray! Me and X love you to the millionth power!"
More from LittleThings: Coco Gauff Heading To Olympics For First Time After Missing Tokyo Games Due To COVID-19
Brittney Griner
Brittney Griner's wife Cherelle Griner could be having their baby any day now, since she's due in July 2024 according to Arizona Republic. Per CBS News, the USA Basketball Women's National Team player announced that the baby is a boy and he'll be named Bash.
Breanna Stewart
Also on USA Basketball Women's National Team is Breanna Stewart, who has two children with her wife Marta Xargay. Their eldest is their nearly 3-year-old daughter Ruby, and Marta gave birth to their son Theo in late 2023, according to Just Women's Sports.
Dearica Hamby
Dearica Hamby is playing on the Olympic 3×3 basketball team for Team USA. The 30-year-old has two children, reports People magazine. Her daughter Amaya is 7 and her son Legend is 1.
Dearica told People that she loves being a mom and still playing basketball — and she takes inspiration from the other mothers in the sport. "It's encouraging to me and moms all over to see moms in the league," she said.
Marisa Howard
Marisa Howard is a steeplechase participant at the Paris Olympics. The steeplechase is a track event with several obstacles for runners to jump over. If anything prepares someone for an obstacle course, it's parenthood — and as a boy mom, Marisa knows that well. "I think I'm a better and stronger athlete from the mental side and the physical side," Marisa told KVTB of returning to the sport after giving birth.
Elle St. Pierre
Elle St. Pierre qualified for the 1,500 meter and 5,000 meter track events at the Paris Olympics, according to the Saint Albans Messenger. After she completed the Olympic trials, her 15-month old son Ivan joined her on the track to celebrate his mom's big victory. It was such a sweet moment.
Crystal Dunn
Crystal Dunn is part of the US women’s national soccer team for the Paris Olympics. Crystal had her son Marcel in 2022, and she rejoined the sporting world just four months later, according to Just Women's Sports. She told the outlet that she thinks becoming a mother made her a better athlete. "I have learned to really appreciate every little moment. Every pass, every tackle, just every moment I'm on the field I think I look at differently," she said.
Casey Krueger
Another Team USA soccer player and mother is Casey Krueger. She started trying have a family with her husband following the Tokyo Olympics but experienced a miscarriage during the first pregnancy, she told NWSL Soccer. Eventually she was able to get pregnant again and gave birth to her now 2-year-old son Caleb. She said that getting back into soccer post C-section was tough, but she's glad to be back at the sport while also being a mom.
Adrienne Lyle
Adrienne Lyle, a 39-year-old dressage equestrian competitor, is also a new mom. Adrienne gave birth to her daughter Bailey less than a year ago, in September 2023, according to Horse Network. The outlet reported that Adrienne resumed training just three weeks later, but she said it took about three months to get back to her usual riding strength. Now, in Paris, she'll be competing in her third Olympics.
Sarah Newberry Moore
Sailor Sarah Newberry Moore missed the Tokyo Olympics because she'd just given birth to her son Iren two months before the delayed games started in 2021, per the Coconut Grove Spotlight. Now is her chance to shine in the mixed-gender multihull sailing competition alongside teammate David Liebenberg.
Jillian Elwart
There are several Paralympic Games athletes headed to Paris in 2024 who are also mothers. Canoeist and kayaker Jillian Elwart is 41 with a college-aged daughter to cheer her on at the Games, according to Active Hands. Per the American Canoe Association, Jillian has been named to the paracanoe team for Paris.
Christie Raleigh Crossley
Christie Raleigh Crossley is a swimmer in the Paris Paralympic Games, and she's also a mom of three. According to her Team USA bio, she has two daughters, Apribella and Loughlin, and a son, Raleigh. That's quite a cheering squad she'll have when she competes in Paris!
Mallory Weggemann
Mallory is also competing as a swimmer for Team USA at the Paralympics in 2024. According to People magazine, she had her daughter Charlotte in March 2023. She is now ready to compete to win and share that moment with her family, but she sort of already shared the sport with Charlotte. Mallory was 26 weeks pregnant with her when she competed at the national championships, according to NBC Sports.