Egypt fencer Nada Hafez reveals she competed pregnant at Paris Olympics

An Olympian has revealed she was carrying more than just the hopes of a nation when she posted an incredible win in Paris.

It’s often said that athletes bear the weight and hopes of a nation when they chase Olympic glory.

But not many are actually carrying another human while they do it.

Egypt’s Nada Hafez revealed she is seven months pregnant after winning her first duel of the women’s sabre at Paris 2024.

An emotional Hafez, 26, defeated US fencer Elizabeth Tartakovsky before revealing her baby news to fans on social media.

Nada Hafez of Team Egypt and Elizabeth Tartakovsky of Team US. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

Hafez announced the news after her win. Picture: Carl Recine/Getty Images

“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!,” she wrote on Instagram.

“My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional.

“The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.

“I’m writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the round of 16!”

Hafez went on to lose to Korea Republic’s Jeon Ha-young on Monday.

The 26-year-old thanked her family for helping her to compete. Picture: Al Bello/Getty Images

Fans flocked to praise her. Picture: Carl Recine/Getty Images

It was Hafez’s third Olympic Games, having previously competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.

She was also a gymnastics champion in her home country.

Her announcement was met with shock from supporters, who called her “amazing” and a “true champion”.

“What a story to tell for your baby,” wrote one fan.

Another wrote: “Balancing between pregnancy and pursuing your passion is never easy, so you should be super proud of yourself regardless of the outcome.

“You’re setting such a good example for this little champ.”

However, not all reactions were positive with Hafez’s post also attracting some backlash from people questioning how pregnancy could have impacted her preparation.

“It’s a beautiful story of course but I want Egypt to win, maybe another player could have went instead of you,” one man commented.

“This is the Olympics, competition is top notch, we won’t win anything you being seven months pregnant.”

Originally published as Egypt fencer Nada Hafez reveals she competed pregnant at Paris Olympics