Athletic parents

This year’s London Marathon is a reminder that mothers can dominate the world of sport

Kenya's Mary Keitany crosses the finish line to win the London Marathon. Tim Ireland / AP Photo

It was revealed last week, during the Australian Open, that the American tennis legend Serena Williams was pregnant. Entrenching her reputation as one of the sport’s all-time greats, she won the tournament. On Sunday, Mary Keitany of Kenya smashed the women’s world record at the London Marathon. It was also revealed that she ran last year’s race in the early stages of pregnancy.

As recently as 50 years ago, women were barred from professional sporting competitions such as marquee marathons over misplaced fears that physical activity could hurt their ability to become pregnant.

Thankfully these outdated ideas have gone out the window. The current generation of super athletes – from Keitany to Williams – are proving that women can dominate elite sport even in the early stages of pregnancy. Such demonstrations of excellence remain critical to the larger fight for women’s equality around the world.