After five-time Olympic medalist, swimmer, and devout Catholic Ryan Murphy finished winning bronze in the men’s 100m backstroke when his wife surprised him with a gender reveal sign – it’s a girl! 

He and his college sweetheart, Bridget Konttinen, wed at Lake Tahoe in September 2023 and are expecting their first child, a daughter.  

That’s the best award to win!  

Archery and Pregnancy Go Hand-in-Hand for Azerbaijan Archer Yaylagul Ramazanova 

Azerbaijan archer Yaylagul Ramazanova competed in the Paris Olympics – at six months pregnant.  

For whoever said women can’t pursue their career and motherhood, Ramazanova didn’t get the memo.  

“I felt my baby kick me before I shot this last arrow,” said Ramazanova. “And then I shot a 10.” 

Despite not winning a medal, Ramazanova was proud of her best efforts.  

“During the training for the Olympics, I didn’t feel uncomfortable with my pregnancy,” she said. “Instead, I felt that I was not fighting alone but fighting together with my baby.”  

Kristin Armstrong Thanks Motherhood for Her Olympic Success 

The most decorated U.S. women’s cyclist and Olympic gold medalist, Kristin Armstrong, has been winning gold her entire career. Even though she didn’t ride in this Olympics, she instead became a coach, and her team made it on the podium.  

Under Armstrong’s wing, Chloe Dygert won bronze, and Haley Batten won silver.  

“Being a mom was actually my secret weapon,” revealed Armstrong. “No matter how my day went, I had this little one smiling back at me. Kids remind you of what’s really important.” 

She married Joe Savola and has a son, Lucas, born in 2010.  

Caeleb Dressel Wins Gold with Wife and New Baby by His Side 

U.S. swimmer Caeleb Dressel won two golds and one silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics with his family by his side.  

After the men’s 4 x 100-meter medley relay, Dressel celebrated with his wife, Meghan, and son, August. Dressel told the following to USA Today:  

“…I think the special part was for a sport that has meant so much for me for 22 years, to be able to bring him into those moments with me, to be able to hold him on deck, and for the medals here — gold, silver, it doesn’t really matter what they represent — I know my son got to watch me win those. … And he can take it and ding it up, bring it to show-and-tell if that’s still a thing nowadays.”  

Egyptian Fencer Nada Hafez Had an Extra Helper in the Competition – Her Preborn Baby 

Egyptian Fencer Nada Hafez advanced to the 16th round before losing to South Korea’s Hayoung Jeon. Still, her victories became even more incredible when she made a surprising announcement on Instagram.  

“What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three!” she wrote. “It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!” 

Greatest Gymnast of All Time Simone Biles’ Adoption Story  

Simone Biles is a U.S. gymnast who’s raked in three gold medals and one silver medal, not including her medals from other Olympic competitions. Before she was considered the greatest gymnast of all time, she had a challenging start to life. Both her parents struggled with alcohol and drugs, and while her birthmother was unable to provide for her children, especially after their father abandoned them, she lovingly chose life.  

“My journey to the 2016 Olympics started on a daycare field trip,” wrote Biles. “You might think that going from a girl in foster care to being an Olympic gold medalist in Rio de Janeiro is the most amazing part of my journey. It isn’t. It’s how I got there — or, more accurately, who got me there — that is most miraculous. I’m going to tell you a story. My story. How my faith and my family made my wildest dreams come true. And how embracing a dream can give you courage to soar.” 

They were later adopted by their maternal grandparents, who were cheering her on at the Paris Olympics.  

Allyson Felix Creates First EVER Nursery at the Olympics 

11-time Olympic medalist and mother of two Allyson Felix has set up the first ever nursery in the Olympic Village as part of a partnership with Pampers.  

“It was top of mind to support athletes who are mothers,” Felix told NBC Olympics in an article. “It’s a space where families can get away from it all and have some of the comforts of home. They can have playtime and have places to feed their babies.” 

Emma Terho, the IOC’s Athletes’ Commission Chair and a two-time Olympic ice hockey medalist for Finland spoke about how motherhood doesn’t have to be the end of a career.  

“Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes,” said Terho to NBC Olympics. “This nursery allows that to happen, while also giving athletes the opportunity to focus on the Games.” 

As the Olympics inspires viewers and aspiring athletes to new heights, we hope these stories and moments will inspire people towards life and all the fantastic things that can happen when life blossoms.  

To the next generation of Olympians!