2024 Olympics: Egyptian Fencer Nada Hafez Shares She Competed in Paris Games While 7 Months Pregnant
Nada Hafez wasn’t alone for her 2024 Olympic bouts.
The Egyptian fencer revealed that when she stepped up to the piste in Paris for her third Olympic Games, she did so while seven months pregnant with her and husband Ibrahim Ihab’s first child.
“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three,” Nada began a July 30 Instagram Post, after reaching the round of 16. “It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!”
She continued, “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.”
And though the 26-year-old ultimately lost to South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung in the round of 16 after an impressive victory over USA’s Elizabeth Tartakovsky in the round of 32, Nada took a moment to pride in what she accomplished—and those who helped get her there.
“I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband and that of my family to be able to come this far,” she added. “This specific Olympics was different; Three times *Olympian* but this time carrying a little Olympian one!”
As Ibrahim wrote of his wife—who has a degree in medicine and won gold medals in the individual and team saber events at the 2019 African Games—on his Instagram Story, “LITERALLY A QUEEN.”
And Nada’s sweet announcement isn’t the only exciting baby news to come from the 2024 Olympic Games.
On Team USA, swimmer Ryan Murphy was treated to the surprise of a lifetime during his bronze medal winning 100m backstroke performance.
When the 29-year-old reached the end of his swim—his third-place finish making him the first swimmer ever to win three medals in the event—his pregnant wife Bridget Konttinen Murphy held up a sign from the stands that read, “Ryan it's a girl!"
And as fellow Olympian Rowdy Gaines summarized on X of the moment, “"This is so much bigger than ANY medal. Congrats Murph!!"
For Bridget, who tied the knot with Ryan in September, she wrote on her Instagram Story over a picture of the two kissing after his event, “A night we’ll never forget. I love you so much.”
And for more unforgettable moments from this year’s games, keep reading.
Team Great Britain divers Tom Daley and Noah Williams shared a hilarious moment as they picked up silver for synchronized diving.
Ronald Zabala-Goetschel of Ecuador had a less than terrific time competing in the equestrian competition.
Team USA swimmer Katie Grimes gave us all double vision.
Lauren Scruggs, Lee Kiefer and Eleanor Harvey of Team USA and Team Canada's foil teams celebrated their Olympic medal wins with the iconic biting of the medal.
Denmark and Norway delivered during the preliminary handball competition.
Frida Andersen of Sweden went for an epic jump during the equestrian competition.
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal celebrated a win in their first double match.
Lebron James made winning look easy.
USA fencer Lee Kiefer celebrated her win against China's Huang Qianqian.
Vietnam's Ha Thi Ling took a punch from Tonga's Feofaaki Epenis.
Gymnastics champion Simone Biles gave a shoutout to her fans at the gymnastics qualifyers on day two of the 2024 Olympics.
Surfer John John Florence of Team USA got jiggy with it as he and his teammates celebrated the Opening Ceremony in French Polynesia.
Olympic gold medalist Nadia Comaneci shared an excited moment with French Tennis player Amelie Mauresmo during the torch ceremony.
Team Japan didn't let the downpour soak their spirits as they lived it up during the Opening Ceremony.
Team New Zealand was clearly in a celebratory mood as they sailed down the Seine during the Opening Ceremony.
Surfer Saffi Vette of Team New Zealand maked sure to pour carefully as she partook in the sand ceremony in French Polynesia.
Team USA landed an incredible moment during the 2024 Opening Ceremony as they marked the start of the games in Paris.
Recently appointed official Hype Man for USA Water Polo Women’s and Men’s National Teams Flavor Flav looked the part while attending the Games in full water polo garb.
Snoop Dogg greeted the crowds as he held the torch ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
Malaysia's Johnathan Guanjie Wong was ready for a bullseye as he practiced shooting.
Sweden's Vilma Bobeck and Rebecca Netzle waved a quick hello as they practiced for women's skiff racing.
Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia attempted to stay dry as they took in the Parade of Nations on Paris' River Seine.
USA's Caroline Marks got in some training time in Tahiti where the 2024 surfing events are taking place.
Sibel Altinkaya of Turkey had her eyes on the prize—and the ball—ahead of her table tennis games.
The U.S. women's Olympic tennis team—featuring Emma Navarro, Danielle Collins, Jessica Pegula, Desirae Krawczyk, Coco Gauff—aced a quick selfie.
USA's Jagger Eaton prepared for his second Olympics after earning a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Henry Hutchinson of Australia scored a try in his game against Samoa.
Simone Biles practiced on a balance beam while training for the 2024 Olympics.
The French and American men's rugby teams fought over possession.
Frederick Richard hit the gymnastics floor to train on the parallel bars.
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