Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez competed in the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant. Hafez, 26, who was in her third Olympics, reached the last 16 in the women’s sabre individual event. She won her first match against USA’s Elizabeth Tartakovsky but was defeated 7-15 by Korean fencer Jeon Hayoung.
Hafez shared her experience on Instagram, expressing pride in her performance and highlighting the unique challenge of competing while pregnant. She wrote, “What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!”
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She reflected on the physical and emotional challenges of balancing pregnancy and sport, stating that despite the difficulties, the experience was worthwhile. Hafez also acknowledged the support of her husband, Ibrahim Ihab, and her family in helping her achieve this milestone. “This specific Olympics was different; Three times Olympian but this time carrying a little Olympian one!” she added.
