Mother’s Day is celebrated in over 40 countries around the world. The date varies country to country, as does the name, but love and appreciation for mothers is universal.
March and May are the most common months, with Fête des Mères, Día de la Madre, Дан мајке, Muttertag, Morsdag and Dzień Matk (amongst others) all celebrated in honour of our mothers and grandmothers.
Is it possible to juggle the demands of motherhood with the high octane world of international athletics? Here’s three women, proving that it can be.
Hannah England, Professional Athletics Commentator
In the United Kingdom, Mother’s Day is celebrated on March 10, and for former Great Britain athlete Hannah England, it’s a day she feared she would never realise as a mum.
“Becoming a mum is something we struggled with. It took us a lot of years to get pregnant, and so we are just totally delighted to finally be parents. My husband and I had our little baby Nancy at the end of October and it's wonderful.”
England is a high achieving woman. On the track she won 1500m silver medal at the Daegu 2011 World Athletics Championships.
She ran for Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympic Games, where she reached the semi-final, and she won double NCAA gold in 2008 while running for Florida State.
Now retired, her talent, work-ethic, and focus have transferred to the world of athletics commentary. She has just completed the gargantuan task of commentating all sessions of the World Indoor Athletics Championships in Glasgow for the Host Broadcaster, while still breastfeeding Nancy every two hours!
“It's a lot and I've always known that - everyone says it compromises you professionally and we know that, especially for females it can be hard, but to be living it, it is quite extreme and anyone that's got children knows it is constant.”
“My husband (Luke Gunn) is a personal coach as well, he's got an athlete here (in Glasgow), but he's playing Manny for the three days whilst I do the commentary for the host broadcast.
“It's draining, but it's a privilege. I'm really loving doing it and I do keep having to pinch myself that I've got my husband here, and I've got a tiny baby.
“We love athletics, it's our life and it is a wonderful opportunity to do it as a family, but it's a lot.”
“My mum has been really supportive of me working as well. She and my dad have been travelling around and helping me commentate on the other indoor fixtures in the season.”
In awe of athlete mums
For England, the decision to start a family came after her retirement from athletics in 2020. She admits she is in awe of women who are Mums, whilst still competing.
“It blows my mind. I always had a lot of respect for it, but now I've done it myself, gone through pregnancy, had the baby, going through the breastfeeding…
“You're physically getting over childbirth and going back to all your physiotherapy exercises and also getting your body back firing correctly, but there's a massive mental load as well.
“Any time you're away from a tiny baby it’s pretty tough. I'm really, really in awe of any of the women that are battling, managing, competing, and training alongside motherhood.
“I genuinely don't think I could have done it. That's how I felt as an athlete, I thought I'm not sure I'm cut out to do both at the same time. That's why we waited until after I finished competing. But now I'm just even more in awe of the women that do it.”
Parental perspective
Motherhood brings different priorities, and England believes this can be advantageous in professional sport.
“I think you hear a lot of people saying it puts stuff in perspective, and I can totally understand that, because when you're passionate about something, it's very hard to stay rational and logical.
“That’s what happens in sport - you get so caught up in it, and you get caught up in your own dramas. When you speak to athletes that have children, they kind of say, it does put it all into perspective.
“So, I do think that is perhaps an advantage for athletes - they know what really matters and they've got something to balance out that kind of neurosis, and stuff that they might have in their training.”
The final question brought tears and emotion for England as she considered her long-awaited gift of becoming a mother… ‘Is Nancy your greatest achievement?’
“I loved being an athlete, I loved every second of it, but Nancy's wonderful. I mentioned it was a big journey for us having her, so for her… Yeah, yeah, she is, she's beautiful.”
Ana Peleteiro, international jumps star
In Spain ‘Día de la Madre always falls on the first Sunday in May, a day which will be enjoyed for only the second time by Olympic triple jump bronze medallist Ana Peleteiro. She is married to the French triple jumper Benjamin Compaoré and their daughter Lua was born in December 2022.
Now back in action and just 14 months after giving birth, 28-year-old Peleteiro claimed the World Indoor Athletics Championship bronze with the second longest jump of her career.
Medals and motherhood were understandably the focus of interviews after her remarkable achievement in Glasgow.
“I’m super emotional really because it was a big fight for me, just to come back after my pregnancy. Only my coach and I know how hard I have worked, and how I have fought to arrive here in good shape.
“It's really amazing, and it's just one step more because my real goal is the Olympics, but of course it's super nice to win a medal in a World Championship and I'm super, super grateful.”
Federation support
As well as family support, the Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist has revealed her national federation, Real Federación Española de Ateltismo (RFEA) is very much part of the journey.
“I had the help of my federation from the beginning. I want to say that the Spanish Federation has supported me from the first day that I announced I was pregnant, because they know that my goal is to arrive in Paris in my best shape.
“Of course, my family, my husband, and my coach also support me. My coach can understand that sometimes I arrive at training a little bit tired because maybe my baby has had a bad night or she's sick or whatever.”
Stronger and longer
Peleteiro is in the form of her life and believes the journey of pregnancy and becoming a mum have made her stronger.
“A lot of different things can happen in the day of a mom - you have to fight for it. If you are tired, train tired because one day in the competition maybe you will be tired, and you will have to fight on that day too.
“It's my first baby and you know everybody always said that after the pregnancy all women come back stronger. I don't know if it's because of the pregnancy, or it's because of all the work that I do each day in my training.
“I don't know exactly what it is, but it's a fact that now I'm stronger than before. I'm happy because that means that in the Olympic Games, I can win another medal or fight for an even better medal… so let's see!”
Orlann Oliere, sprinting star
In France, Fête des Mères is traditionally the last Sunday of May, and sprinter Orlann Oliere has three reasons to celebrate! Her 10 year old son was followed by twins, a girl and boy who are now 19 months old.
An Achilles tendon rupture in November 2021 brought an uncertain pause to Oliere’s career, but also a much desired opportunity to add to her family with husband Ludovic. Rehabilitation and pregnancy were conducted sided by side, and Oliere gave birth to the twins in July 2022.
The 32 year old was thrilled to be back on the track in Glasgow at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, enjoying selection for France for the first time since the Tokyo Olympic Games.
Oliere reached the semi-final of the 60m, running 7.18, just 0.03 slower than her personal best time set five years ago.
She admits that the path she has chosen is tough, but she is fulfilled by her family and role as a mother.
“Yes, it's a magical experience. I've always wanted to have many children. I think it's a balance in my life as a woman. My children, and my husband are my driving force every day, and I'm lucky to be able to be a mother during my career!”
Sleepless nights
Of course, twins are extremely challenging for all parents, but how does an elite athlete cope, whilst maintaining her own training and competition performance?
“What was most difficult at the beginning, were the sleepless nights with two babies, then continuing with training when I haven't slept much, it's very tough! If I didn't have my circle, my family, a structure around me, it would be even harder!
“It also takes a certain will, believing in yourself, and doing more than others!”
“My strength is that I am fulfilled in my home, so inevitably, also in my life as an athlete. I'm lucky to be able to do both, to be a mother and an athlete.
“Paris is my goal of this year 2024. I will work, fight, and make many sacrifices every day to get to Paris. But I'm fortunate to also have my husband and parents who take care of the children during my preparation, which is very important!”
A mother is the first female role-model most children will encounter. Oliere is determined to set the very best example she can.
“I am proud because I show important values to my children, especially as a woman, for my little girl. Anything is possible, a woman should have no limits, you have to believe, and above all, do everything possible to succeed!”
Rhona Mcleod for European Athletics