Nada Hafez wasn’t alone for her 2024 Olympic bouts.
The Egyptian fencer revealed that when she stepped up to the piste in Paris for her third Olympic Games, she did so while seven months pregnant with her and husband Ibrahim Ihab’s first child.
“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three,” Nada began a July 30 Instagram Post, after reaching the round of 16. “It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!”
She continued, “My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.”
And though the 26-year-old ultimately lost to South Korea’s Jeon Hayoung in the round of 16 after an impressive victory over USA’s Elizabeth Tartakovsky in the round of 32, Nada took a moment to pride in what she accomplished—and those who helped get her there.
“I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband and that of my family to be able to come this far,” she added. “This specific Olympics was different; Three times *Olympian* but this time carrying a little Olympian one!”
As Ibrahim wrote of his wife—who has a degree in medicine and won gold medals in the individual and team saber events at the 2019 African Games—on his Instagram Story, “LITERALLY A QUEEN.”
And Nada’s sweet announcement isn’t the only exciting baby news to come from the 2024 Olympic Games.
On Team USA, swimmer Ryan Murphy was treated to the surprise of a lifetime during his bronze medal winning 100m backstroke performance.
When the 29-year-old reached the end of his swim—his third-place finish making him the first swimmer ever to win three medals in the event—his pregnant wife Bridget Konttinen Murphy held up a sign from the stands that read, “Ryan it's a girl!"
And as fellow Olympian Rowdy Gaines summarized on X of the moment, “"This is so much bigger than ANY medal. Congrats Murph!!"
For Bridget, who tied the knot with Ryan in September, she wrote on her Instagram Story over a picture of the two kissing after his event, “A night we’ll never forget. I love you so much.”
And for more unforgettable moments from this year’s games, keep reading.
Let's GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
LeBron James and Steph Curry were definitely feeling it after the USA men's basketball team beat Serbia to advance to the finals.
2 Become 1
Xu Shixiao and Sun Mengya from Team China were clearly working together during the women's canoe double 500-meter semifinal.
Come On, Gold!
Team USA's Sha'carri Richardson picked up her first gold in the women's 4x100-meter relay.
A Most Iconic Duo
Everyone's favorite BFFs Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart hitched a ride on a golf cart.
High Kicks
Team China's Liang Yushuai gave folks a new photo pose to try next time they visit the Eiffel Tower.
Careful With the Bike!
Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen was very enthusiastic about nabbing a second gold medal.
Shock and Awe
Emma Roberts couldn't believe what she was seeing during the men's semi-final basketball match between the USA and Serbia.
Chomping On the Gold
Tara Davis-Woodhall of Team USA went for the customary biting of the medal after winning gold in the women's long jump.
Don't Lose Your Shirt
Sergio Camello of Spain found his own way to celebrate after scoring his fifth goal against France.
A Trip to Sesame Street
Elmo loves getting hugs from Simone Biles.
Tuck It In
Emilia Nilsson Garip of Sweden dove into the water during the women's 3 meters springboard final.
A Slam Dunk
Gabrielle Union was cheering on Team USA as they went head-to-head with Serbia in the men's basketball semi-final match.
Nothing Left For Them To Do But Dance
Team Spain got into the groove during the rhythmic gymnastics competition.
Royal Onlookers
Ben-Sylvester Strautmann, Alexandra de Hanovre, Prince Albert of Monaco and Alain Bernard cheer while at the Men's Team Bronze medal match.
Double the Fun
Paulina Paszek and Jule Marie Hake of Team Germany celebrate earning third place in the Women's kayak double 500m final.
Zoom In
Carmelo Anthony wanted to remember the moment as he and son Kiyan Anthony watched Team USA beat Serbia in men's basketball.
A Queen
Team USA's Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone celebrated after breaking her own record and winning gold in the women's 400m hurdles final.
Twisting Every Which Way
Elzhana Taniyeva of Kazakhstan showed off her very impressive range at the rhythmic gymnastics Individual all round.
Parisian Pride
One fan really wanted everyone to know which country he was rooting for.
Go, Dad, Go
Bronny James cheered on father LeBron James as Team USA took on Serbia in the Men's basketball semifinals competition.
Quick Break
Noah Lyles of Team USA needed a second after competing in the men's 200m final.
Not the Face!
Great Britain's Bradly Sinden tried to protect the goods during the Men's Taekwondo 68kg quarterfinals.
Dance It Out
Italy's Milena Baldassarri put on quite the show during the rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around competition.
Yee-Haw!
Tara David-Woodhall pulled out the cowboy hat after winning gold in women's long jump competition.
Flying Through the Air
Team USA's Tom Schaar put on quite the aerial display while competing in the men's park skateboarding final.
Go Team!
USA's water polo team was full of excitement as they beat Australia and advanced to the semifinals.
Going for the Ball
The game was heated as the USA took on Nigeria in the women's quarterfinal basketball match.
One Final Hurdle
Grant Holloway repped the USA after winning the gold medal in the Men's 110m hurdles final.
Do You Even Lift?
Venezuela's Katherin Echandia Zarate showed that she never skips arm day during the weightlifting competition.
An Unfortuante Spill
Michelle Jenneke of Australia didn't quite clear her hurdle in her Women's 100m heat.