Paris Olympics 2024: Are Menstruation and Pregnancy Still Off-Limits?

Incident One: Boxer Yomna Ayad and Period

Recently, Egyptian boxer Yomna Ayad was disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympics for being 700 grams over her official weight. This sparked a lot of criticism towards the athlete, her coaches, and the committee that allowed her to travel to participate in the Olympics, with many calling for an investigation into how she was permitted to compete despite the weight issue. The Egyptian committee eventually issued a statement based on a medical report, saying:

"The athlete experienced weight gain upon arriving in Paris due to factors related to travel and flight conditions. She managed to reach her target weight after following a special program leading up to the competition and after arriving in Paris. She then faced physiological and hormonal changes that are common among women, which we prefer not to detail out of respect for Egyptian customs and the athlete’s privacy."

While this statement seems to be aimed at protecting the athlete's mental well-being, it inadvertently adds to the stigma around the period. Treating menstruation as something to be subtly hinted at rather than openly acknowledged is frustrating and outdated. It's disheartening, especially after years of advocating that “period isn’t shameful.” Shouldn't the coach have accounted for menstruation-related weight fluctuations? Isn’t it well known that women’s weights can fluctuate with their menstrual cycle? Shouldn’t this be factored into training rather than treated as a surprising and taboo topic?

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Looking back to the Rio 2016 Olympics, Chinese swimmer Fu Yuanhui was one of the first athletes to openly discuss how menstruation affected her performance. She mentioned she felt weak and tired due to her period, which was quite a stir at the time because it wasn’t common for women to talk about menstruation so openly. Since then, more athletes have started speaking out about their menstrual cycles. For example, American rugby player Ilona Maher recently posted on TikTok about always being prepared with tampons and period underwear, even if she doesn’t expect her period.

In the 2020s, it’s time to address menstruation without the old taboos. It should be recognized as a normal part of life for everyone—athletes, professionals, students, and more. We should be making it easier for women, rather than making them feel that menstruation is something shameful or a barrier to their comfort and goals.

Incident Two: Athlete Nada Hafez Competing During Her Seventh Month of Pregnancy

Egyptian athlete Nada Hafez recently made headlines after exiting the Round of 16 in her saber fencing competition at the Olympics. She achieved this success while in her seventh month of pregnancy, and she proudly expressed her gratitude to her supportive husband and family. Her performance was remarkable, and I personally felt a deep sense of pride for her. Despite this, social media didn’t hold back from criticizing her. She and her husband faced accusations of negligence and irresponsibility for risking both her health and the baby’s.

This situation raises an important question: Is there a law prohibiting pregnant women from participating in the Olympics or other competitions? The surprising answer is NO. There’s no such prohibition as long as there’s medical approval confirming that participation poses no risk to the mother or baby. Instead, the restrictions come from societal norms and personal opinions about what is deemed right or wrong. It’s worth noting that Nada Hafez is a Clinical pathologist, highlighting her medical knowledge and understanding of her situation. Yet, society tends to overlook this expertise and sticks to its own rules.

Historically, Nada Hafez is the 26th athlete to compete in the Olympics during pregnancy, following 25 other athletes from various countries. For instance, beach volleyball player Kerri Walsh Jennings won her third gold medal at the London 2012 Olympics while in her fifth week of pregnancy. Canadian curler Kristie Moore earned a silver medal at the 2010 Olympics while five months pregnant. Malaysian shooter Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi competed in the 2012 Olympics during her eighth month of pregnancy. Other notable examples include Alysia Montaño, who ran the 800 meters at the 2014 US Track and Field Championships while eight months pregnant, and Serena Williams, who won her seventh Australian Open title in 2017 while pregnant.

While these women have faced both praise and criticism, the increasing number of athletes competing during pregnancy shows that this practice is becoming more accepted. They have the right to compete, and we should support them as they navigate the challenges of pregnancy to achieve their dreams, rather than pressuring them to hide their pregnancies and risk their health.

Until the early 2000s, many athletes hid their pregnancy to avoid being barred from major competitions. For example, in 2004, basketball player Connie Neal from the University of Louisville continued training and playing until she collapsed during a game and was diagnosed with early labor pains in her eighth month. This incident led to changes in regulations at American colleges and clubs, resulting in programs designed to protect pregnant athletes and support their continued pursuit of their dreams.

Recent medical research has debunked previous misconceptions about the impact of maternal exercise on the fetus, emphasizing that the mother’s overall health is the most crucial factor. Therefore, as long as an athlete is in good health and receives proper guidance and training, there’s no reason why pregnancy should be a barrier to competition. Given that no laws explicitly prevent pregnant women from participating in the Olympics or other events, and there’s no general medical reason to stop them—except for specific health concerns—why does society continue to impose such restrictions?