World Athletics project aims to ‘protect and support’ pregnant athletes

World Athletics is asking every elite female athlete to help shape its rules on pregnancy, childbirth and the return to competition.

The governing body has launched a new study it says can inform and improve its policies – and help to better protect and support female athletes.

It is asking current and previous competitors to complete surveys, external about their pregnancies and subsequent return to the sport, as well as quizzing those who have not been pregnant.

World Athletics says its wants to “protect female athletes and reduce inequities within elite athletics” and is looking at ways to support world rankings during maternity leave.

The organisation’s president, Lord Coe, said: “This is the next step in ensuring athletes who experience pregnancy are protected, receive support, and do not face barriers when it comes to being able to make a return to elite athletics.”

The Childbirth And Return in Elite Sport (Cares) project will aim to help women with barriers, professional and organisational support and contractual and financial considerations.

Sprinter Allyson Felix – who won 11 Olympic medals – took on her then-sponsor, Nike, in 2019 over maternity pay, revealing Nike’s threat to cut her pay by 70% if motherhood affected her future athletic performance.

Three months later, Nike changed its stance and new contracts guaranteed an athlete’s pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy.

British runner Calli Hauger-Thackery completed this year’s Boston marathon in two hours and 43 minutes while 22 weeks pregnant.

Hauger-Thackery believes attitudes are changing and she wants to show women “can do both”.

“It means so much to me. We can be a mother and also shoot for these crazy big goals, more than ever. It’s definitely not going to scare me away from any goals,” she said.

“I think, if anything, it’s going to push me to show my son what is possible. I just think that makes it even more meaningful for me and I’m just honoured and excited to be a part of that space.”

The 2027 World Athletics Championships take place in Beijing in September.