Breastfeeding Allowed for Nursing Athletes at the Tokyo Olympics

Breastfeeding mothers who are also competing at the Tokyo Olympics have been allowed to bring their nursing children to Tokyo. The global event organizers have unveiled the landmark decision following pleas from the athletes who have given birth but have dilemmas over leaving their babies at home.

According to USA Today, U.S. marathoner Aliphine Tuliamuk requested the Tokyo Olympics organizers to allow her to bring and breastfeed her child. 

However, a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee initially said that the decision to approve this request would be "highly unlikely" given the COVID travel restrictions in Japan.

The report cited that only athletes are cleared to travel for the Olympics, while fans are highly discouraged from being at the venues. It also means that families are not supposed to attend the games to limit the chances of virus transmission.

Good Call for Women in Sports

However, on June 30, the Tokyo Olympics committee confirmed that they have reconsidered the request and will be allowing breastfeeding athletes to nurse their young children.

Read Also: Coronavirus Pandemic: Breastfeeding Guidelines, Precautionary Measures, and Reminders

The decision has pleased Canadian basketball player Kim Gauche, a nursing mom to a 3-month-old child. As with Tuliamuk, Gauche also requested the committee to allow her to bring her daughter, or she would have to skip her chance at competing and winning an Olympic gold medal.

In a statement on ABC, Gaucher said that she is happy to witness how women's sports are evolving and hailed the confirmation as "the right decision for women in sports and we can move forward."

Some male athletes have openly stated their support for their fellow competitors who are new mothers. Canadian tennis star Milos Raonic said that they should not be made to choose between the Olympics and their child.

Following the announcement, Nia Ali, an Olympic track star and the wife of sprinter Andre De Grasse, posted a photo of herself while breastfeeding her baby. She also acknowledged the decision as a step in the right direction.

Ali said that she has experienced pumping and packing breastmilk while training and competing "due to engorgement from being away from my child" and said that most people would not enjoy going through this when their careers start. She also noted that most parents and mothers would know how to adjust, but the decision has made it easier for Olympic moms. 

In Private Accommodations

However, the Tokyo Olympics Committee has stipulated that breastfeeding babies and the Olympic mothers will stay at a private accommodation provided by the organizers. The Olympic moms won't need to live at the Olympic village facilities during their two-week stay.

Related Article: Parents Ask: How Can Dads or Partners Show Support to Breastfeeding Moms?

The nursing mothers can bring a caretaker or their partners with them to look after their babies while they are in between games and vying for Olympic medals. The babies and their carers will not have access to the Olympic and Paralympic Village since this will remain restricted to the officials, the athletes, and the people needed for the competitions.

The Tokyo Olympics will be underway from July 23 to Aug. 8, 2021, and will have over 11,000 athletes.