Motherhood isn't easy. And, oftentimes, the mom pressure starts even before the baby arrives. When having a baby, moms need to change up their diet, eliminate bad habits, and deal with plenty of anxiety, alongside aches and pains. And even athletes and Olympians have to go through it.
For Olympians, it may be even harder. Their body is how they gained success, and having a baby is just even more proof of what it's capable of. Part of those changes involve milk production. Even if moms choose not to breastfeed or pump, it's still something they'll have to keep in mind.
For moms who do nurse, they know what it's like being physically attached to their baby. It's a wonderful way to feed, but it can also take a lot of time — and sometimes patience. Which is why it's a little ridiculous that the Olympics were, at one time, banning young kids at events.
"Athletes who are nursing mothers will now be allowed to bring their children to the Tokyo Olympics when necessary, organizers announced," read a tweet by SportsCenter. "Some athletes have complained that they were being forced to choose between the Games and their young children." And that's a statement that should make you think.
The wordage made soccer player Alex Morgan quite sad. For one, nursing babies need to be with their mother most of the time. Not only do they require mom for food, but they also need mom for comfort. It's one of the many reasons why maternity leave is so important.
Just because some women are athletes doesn't mean they can't be mothers as well. The thought of an organization separating women from their newborns and infants seems ridiculous. But luckily, the outrage of Alex and many other athletes was enough to get the International Olympic Committee to change its mind and release a statement.
"It is inspiring that so many athletes with young children are able to continue competing at the highest levels, including at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and we are committed to doing everything possible to enable them to perform at the Tokyo 2020 Games," the committee wrote. "After careful consideration of the unique situation facing athletes with nursing children, we are pleased to confirm that, when necessary, nursing children will be able to accompany athletes to Japan."
However, it doesn't seem as if any children will be allowed in the residential zone of the Olympic and Paralympic Village. Only athletes and team officials get access to that area. Nursing moms and those with kids will need to stay elsewhere — and the committee gets a say as to where.
According to the committee, athletes who bring their children "must stay in private accommodation approved by Tokyo 2020, e.g. hotels." It's good to know that they thought twice about this policy, but it's something that should have been a no-brainer. While the virus is still a threat, separating a vaccinated nursing mom from her child would likely cause more problematic issues.
For many young athletes, competing in the Olympics is a goal they've worked on their entire lives. The fact that some women made the cut shortly after having a child is phenomenal and a great testament to how strong these women really are. They absolutely shouldn't have to choose between their loved ones and their dreams.
Team Canada basketball player Kim Gaucher was one of the many moms who are happy about the new rule. She was in a bind knowing that she might have to be separated from her 3-month-old daughter, Sophie. "I'm just really happy. I'm just really happy that the right decisions have been made," she told CBC. "Being a mom is really hard but it's also one of the best jobs that I could have."
"To all of the working moms out there who've had to fight this fight before, I think it's just a really good day for women in sport today," she added. She was one of the loudest voices hoping for change. If change didn't happen, she wouldn't be able to compete in Tokyo this year.
"We've tried appeals," she said earlier, before the new ruling. "Everyone says they're on board, but nobody can do anything. Let's see if we can make a difference. It's 2021. Let's make working moms normal." And she succeeded. Even though this policy is better than the last, it's still a huge reminder that we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to motherhood.
It seems as if people are still unaware of the amount of work breastfeeding moms have to endure. Working mothers who aren't in the Olympics often find themselves looking for a safe and unoccupied place to pump milk, and they still often get questioned by their superiors if they're not working while pumping. It's hard to believe that this is still a battle being faced in 2021.
But at the very least, this is proof that loud voices can be heard and change can happen. This situation should inspire all women to use their voice, even if it seems impossible. Surely nobody figured that a rule set out by the Olympic Committee would be overturned, but if it weren't for women like Kim, Alex, or Aliphine Chepkerker Tuliamuk — who wrote a stunningly honest post about motherhood and the Olympics on Instagram — then the policy might never have changed.
