Ona Carbonell left fuming after being forced to leave her son in Spain

A two-time Olympic medallist has vented her fury at Olympic officials after being forced to leave her breastfeeding son behind in Spain.

Spanish synchronised swimmer Ona Carbonell has vented her fury at Tokyo 2020 organisers, after she was forced to leave her breastfeeding son behind in Spain.

Carbonell posted a lengthy video on Instagram that detailed her circumstances, and emphasised just how difficult it was for her to go to Tokyo without her son in tow.

“Despite the appearance of some news suggesting the possibility that we athletes could travel to the Tokyo Olympic Games accompanied by our infants or young children, we have been informed by the organising entities of some extremely drastic measures that make this option impossible for me,” Carbonell said.

“After receiving countless expressions of support and encouragement to go to Tokyo with Kai, I wanted to express my disappointment and disillusionment that I will finally have to travel without him.

“Our only possibility is to wait for the end of this pandemic so that normality returns, and with it the necessary measures so that the reconciliation of motherhood and elite sport is no longer something extraordinary and practically impossible to carry out.

“Thank you for your support.”

Had Carbonell brought her son with her to Tokyo, the pair wouldn’t have been allowed to leave their hotel room based on the current rules from the Japanese government.

Logistically, it would also have proven difficult to maintain the bubble that all athletes competing in Tokyo are in.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee said that despite the joy seen in mothers competing, the rules in place are there for a reason.

“It is great to see so many mothers compete at the highest level, including at the Olympic Games,” the statement read.

“It is important to note that entry into Japan is the responsibility of the Japanese government, and the current pandemic situation requires a very significant reduction in the numbers of accredited participants who do not have essential and operational responsibilities.”

Carbonell is a two-time Olympic medallist.