Dedicated Olympics nursery to secret Whatsapp group…how 9 Team GB mums are making it work as they go for gold in Paris
A CRECHE in the Olympic Village, special breastfeeding sports bras and a WhatsApp support group are helping Team GB’s mums go for gold.
A record nine mothers are competing in Paris for Great Britain — with many saying they have come back stronger after having children.
Much is down to an overhaul of support given to sportswomen who get pregnant to try to ensure being a mum and an elite athlete is achievable.
For the first time, there is a dedicated nursery in the Olympic Village, providing free nappies, books, a soft play area, cots, a breastfeeding area and a ball pit.
Shooter Amber Rutter, who gave birth to son Tommy three months ago, is using the facility.
The 26-year-old won silver in the skeet shooting — before husband James surprised her with Tommy in the crowd.
She went back to training just six weeks after giving birth and said of the decision: “I’m so glad I managed to balance my life and my training. I wish I could say it was easy, but it was really hard.”
For track cyclist Katy Marchant, 31 — who won gold last night — the decision to return after giving birth to son Arthur in June 2022 was tough.
Speaking to The Sun before heading to Paris, she said: “It has taken me a good 12 months to work out what the right balance between being a mum and not being guilty away with racing.
“You hear it’s good for mothers to do things themselves. Going away and riding a bike is for myself, but it is also my job.”
UK Sport published its Pregnancy Policy in 2021, which gave guidance to athletes and sport governing bodies on how to support sporting mums.
It gives advice on setting individual training schedules, supplements which can aid recovery, how to start again after giving birth and even tips on who to call to get a special nursing sports bra.
When a British athlete gets pregnant, they are added to a special WhatsApp group only for fellow mums.
Mathilda Hodgkins-Byrne, 29, became the first Team GB mum to win a rowing medal last week.
She said having son Freddie, three, in the crowd helped her stop feeling overwhelmed.
Rower Helen Glover, 38, said knowing her children were “enjoying every minute watching their mum” also helped her bag a silver medal.
She told The Sun: “That you can come back and excel, not despite having children, because you have children, is a message to society to say there is space.
“There should be openness, there should be encouragement for women to come back and do whatever they want to do.”