BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM
The upcoming 2024 Olympic Games in Paris are expected to make history, not just by achieving gender parity, but also by providing an impactful service for parent athletes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and longtime sponsor P&G announced the opening of the Olympic Village’s first nursery.
According to an IOC press release, the nursery would offer “a comfortable and convenient environment for athlete parents to spend time with their babies and young children during the Games.” This facility has a separate daycare area and access to critical supplies like diapers and wipes.
Allyson Felix’s advocacy
The creation of this nursery was significantly influenced by Allyson Felix, the most decorated track and field athlete in American history. “I just knew how difficult it was to compete at the top level after I had my daughter,” Felix shared with CBS News. Her experience as a new mother competing at the highest level motivated her to advocate for other athlete parents.
Felix’s position on the IOC Athletes’ Commission enabled her to push this effort. “I really wanted to be that voice for athlete moms and just take away one less thing for them to worry about in the pressure of competition,” she added.
Support from the IOC leadership
Her colleagues at the International Olympic Committee echoed Felix’s efforts. Emma Terho, Chair of the IOC Athletes’ Commission, stated, “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. Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes.”
Felix sees the nursery as a cultural revolution for female athletes, noting, “I think it really tells women that you can choose motherhood and also be at the top of your game.”
Operational details
The nursery, located in the Athlete Village Plaza, will be open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Athletes and caretakers can gain access to the facilities by requesting a pass from their representative National Olympic Committee. These methods ensure that there is adequate space for newborns and toddlers throughout the day.
In addition to the nursery, P&G will provide support for other Olympic Village facilities such as a hairdresser, laundry rooms, and a dental clinic. Complimentary menstruation products will also be available in Village facilities.
Increasing inclusivity in athletics
Felix expressed confidence about athletics’ move toward diversity. “I think we’re moving in the right direction,” she said. “We’ve really pushed to be in a better place. We’re seeing so many athlete mom role models for the younger ones to look to, and I hope we continue to find ways to better support these women.”
Continuous advocacy and support
Aside from sports, Felix has been a vocal champion for family support, particularly for Black maternal health. She just got a $20 million grant from the Melinda French Gates Foundation to support organizations in this field. “I’m looking forward to deploying this money to organizations that are doing urgent work in this space and will really get it to members of the community that are most at risk of complications, and even death, during pregnancy,” Felix told CBS News at the time.
Felix is also known for her contract disputes with Nike, which she detailed in a 2019 New York Times op-ed. Her efforts resulted in Nike introducing a new maternity policy that guarantees remuneration for the 18 months surrounding childbirth.
A new chapter
As Felix begins her new journey, she will be attending the 2024 Games in a new capacity. “This is the first time in two decades I won’t be competing, so there’s a bit of loss and grief, but also some excitement for this new chapter,” she said. “I’ll be bringing my whole family to take in the Games.”
