7-months pregnant Egyptian fencer competes at Paris Olympics 2024

In a remarkable feat of athleticism, Egyptian fencer, Nada Hafez, disclosed that she competed at the Paris Olympics 2024 while seven months pregnant.

The athlete won her first women's individual sabre competition, however, she was eliminated in the last 16 to a South Korean player.

Taking to Instagram, the 26-year-old athlete said, "What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, and my yet-to-come baby,"  

She defeated American fencer Elizabeth Tartakovsky 15-13 but her journey ended when she was defeated 15-7 by South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung at the Grand Palais in the French capital.

"My baby and I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical and emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life and sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it,” Nada added.  

"I'm writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the Round of 16! I'm lucky to have shared the trust of my husband and that of my family to be able to come this far," her post read. 

The Paris Olympics 2024 kickstarted on July 27 amidst a storm of controversy over the participation of Israeli soldiers and a series of organisational blunders.

A seven-member Pakistani contingent is also competing at the Summer Games, with javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem as the country’s only hope for a gold medal at the prestigious sporting event.