British archer Jodie Grinham is the first pregnant athlete to win a Paralympic medal. The 31-year-old secured bronze at the Games in the French capital Paris. Grinham explained that she has already decided what words she will say to her baby after the birth following this success. “You were on the podium – the youngest member to stand on the podium,” she will say, the expectant mother reported.
During the competition, she felt the presence of the child. “It didn’t stop kicking,” said Grinham. She is seven months pregnant and will never forget the special circumstances on the way to the medal. “My coach and I spent a lot of time doing little pregnancy preparations, where my coach moved my belly and me so that I could get used to this feeling.”
And she was successful, because in the duel for bronze she narrowly defeated her compatriot Phoebe Paterson Pine. “I felt the movements in my stomach and then said something like ‘I know you’re there. Mommy loves you. I’m going to give you a cuddle,’ and then I carried on with my work.”
She decided to start to encourage young mothers. “I love every minute of my career and I love every minute of being a mother. Why should I have to do the two separately? I am very lucky that I can continue to compete in my sport. I don’t want to say that this is possible for everyone. But I think it is a milestone,” said Grinham before the Paralympics.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:240901-930-219522/1
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