Dame Laura Kenny, Britain's most decorated female Olympian, is preparing to make history once again at the Paris 2024 Games - but this time, she's championing a cause close to her heart as a new mother.
A Mother's Olympic Journey
The cycling superstar has revealed the emotional challenges of balancing elite competition with motherhood, particularly her decision to continue breastfeeding throughout her Olympic preparations. "It's been one of the hardest things I've ever done," Kenny confessed, speaking about the physical and emotional toll of training while nursing.
Breaking Barriers in Sport
Kenny's openness about her experience is helping to normalise breastfeeding in elite sports, challenging long-standing taboos about motherhood in athletics. "I want to show other women that you don't have to choose between being a mother and pursuing your sporting dreams," she stated emphatically.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist has been working closely with nutritionists and medical teams to ensure both her performance and her son's wellbeing are prioritised. This groundbreaking approach represents a significant shift in how sports organisations support athlete mothers.
The Road to Paris
As Kenny prepares for what she confirms will be her final Olympic appearance, she's determined to make every moment count. "Knowing this is my last Games adds extra significance," she shared. "I want to leave a legacy that extends beyond medals - one that shows future generations of female athletes that motherhood and sport can coexist."
Her journey to Paris has been unlike any other in her storied career, combining gruelling training sessions with the demands of parenting a young child. Yet Kenny remains characteristically resilient, proving that champion athletes can also be champion mothers.
