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As proof of changing mentalities, the French Olympic Village is the first in the world to offer a “family” area for athletes as well as a breastfeeding area. An important first step, which nevertheless needs to be developed.
These Parisian Olympic Games are definitely not stopping innovating. After an opening ceremony outside a stadium, the unique competition venues, this French edition is also the first in the world to provide a nursery within its Olympic village.
No longer choosing between performance and motherhood
The idea was brought forward by athletics legend Allyson Felix, appointed to the International Olympic Committee’s Athletes’ Commission, who wanted to work for parenting in these games. In 2024, the Olympic Village will therefore have, for the first time, a crèche, as well as a space for “athletes’ mental health” and a breastfeeding area: “It came to me after I had my daughter (in 2018). The first year, I took her everywhere to competitions and it was very difficult”the athlete with seven gold medals told AFP.
In concrete terms, the space financed by Pampers is installed in the non-residential area of the Olympic village and is intended to allow athletes to spend time with their children. They can therefore meet their children “old enough to wear diapers” there for an hour, and by reservation, as many times as possible. In addition to the breastfeeding area, a library, a changing table, and a play area have been planned. Rooms are also offered to female athletes in a hotel in Saint-Denis. They can be accommodated there, as well as the person responsible for the child during the competition, and go there to breastfeed.
“It really tells women that they can choose motherhood and be at the top of their game without losing their groove,” Allyson Felix wished.
A first step, but efforts still limited
While this first is to be welcomed and demonstrates a new direction in sport (in 2021 in Tokyo, the IOC had simply banned families from accompanying their parents), this family room is not to everyone’s taste or does not yet seem sufficient.
First, the nursery “will not provide childcare services,” the International Olympic Committee warned in a statement. To benefit from it, families must book “a private or shared time slot.” The space is also limited, given the competition that will take place.Let’s be clear, this is not about holding more than three, maybe four very calm children. Given the context, small running lanes have been painted on the cushioned floor, but even a very short runner would not take more than five strides before hitting a wall.”castigated an editor of the Quebec newspaper, Le Devoir. This first step remains all the same a starting point for more inclusiveness in the future.