PARIS — Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez has revealed that she competed at the Paris Olympics while seven months pregnant.
Hafez wrote on Instagram: “Carrying a Little Olympian” This came just hours after she reached the round of 16 in the women’s sabre on Monday.
The 26-year-old fencer from Cairo defeated former NCAA champion Elizabeth Tartakovsky of the United States before losing to Chung Ha-young of South Korea.
“My baby and I have been through so much, both physically and mentally,” Hafez wrote. “The rollercoaster of pregnancy is hard in itself but having to fight to balance life and sport has also been hard but worth it. I’m writing this post to let you know how proud I am of us for making it to the round of 16!”
Hafez, a former gymnast with a medical degree, is a three-time Olympian who won gold medals in the individual and team sabre at the 2019 African Games. She finished Monday’s competition in 16th official ranking, her best finish in her three Olympic appearances.
