We should celebrate the athlete who fought for breastfeeding mothers at the Olympics

As humans we make sport out of categorising people, confidently classifying those in the public eye into roles such as athlete or mother, but when confronted with a high profile crossing of these lines, we baulk a little. One may attribute strength, resilience and discipline to an archetypal athlete, but mothers may be perceived differently; even though they share the same attributes, and especially so with persevering in nourishing a babe from the breast.

This is a tribute to an athlete who has petitioned athletic authorities to back her decision to continue breastfeeding whilst competing as a Judo champion at the recent Paris Olympics. Breastfeeding is far from competitive, though the WHO might state otherwise, but it does require determination and grit, along with other traits observed in athletes, such as the ability to persevere through a landscape of obstacles.

Breastfeeding is far from competitive, though the WHO might state otherwise,

From the get-go, mental adjustment is requisite for a new mother, with an abrupt realisation of the gigantic responsibility of keeping a dependent alive! A tiny tot may not be able to replicate moves of a Judo opponent, but handling their physical demands necessitates similar levels of awareness and a dive into resilience.

Clarisse Agbegnenou is to be applauded in this respect as she straddles both hurdles; in prime health, focused on fortifying her body for the rigours of this body pummelling Japanese Martial art and simultaneously desiring to breast feed her infant.

During the Olympics, social media was awash with candid details of cardboard cut-out beds for athletes in the village; adequate for tolerance training, but an abject misfit for a co-sleeping nursing mother. Clarisse petitioned for her rights and for those of other lactating athletic mothers to find refuge in a nearby hotel; not beyond the realms of French hospitality.

Clarisse has petitioned for her rights and those of other lactating athletic mothers to find refuge in a nearby hotel, not beyond the realms of French hospitality.

No doubt this gold medal lobbying has ignited respect from a united voice of mothers globally who militantly defend the virtues of breastfeeding, in addition to an empathetic public who are drawn to stories of vulnerability. Stardom of athletes is currently akin to celebrity status, due to the media’s clever weaving of genres, overlapping personality profiles with fashion commentary and frivolous content of camaraderie to satisfy spectator curiosity. As vicarious pedestrians, the media hype fuels entitlement, equating to a sense of having sway over their actions, but this was a pioneer’s battle.

Breastfeeding in public can provoke criticism and resistance, with on-lookers feeling awkward, as flesh that’s ordinarily under wraps is exposed, even if for a natural reason. It reminds me of my engagement safari in the Pilanesberg National Game Reserve where a jeep-load of us shared a moment of embarrassment as we parked alongside a lion and lioness involved in vigorous love-making. The internal squirm reflected an unease at our intrusive observation of their sport - undoubtedly perfectly normal, and joy-filled for them, as they were ignorant to external scrutiny. Some feel the same about nursing in public.

Breastfeeding boosts endorphins for both mother and baby, a reciprocal harmony that has a multitude of other benefits too. It is known that the properties within breast milk enhance the intelligence of a child and similarly boost a mother’s performance too.  Having fed my children in this way for a combined total of six years, I can confidently assert that it increases bonding, creating strong foundations for a child’s emotional resilience.

God created us to love, him, our spouses, our children and those around us. Giving of oneself in this way is sacrificial, an essential component of love, as we read in Corinthians 13. And through the prophetic words of Joel (chapter 2), we learn that God is explicit in His inclusion of ‘those nursing at the breast’ to be summoned as part of the community gathering. He overtly affirms breast-feeding mothers.

Clarisse is using her talents in the professional arena and her status therein to pioneer a new way, one that is endorsed by the Creator of all. Well done her!