Allyson Felix launches first-ever Olympic Village nursery for Paris 2024 (2024)

The most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history is delivering a first to the Olympic Village: a nursery.

Allyson Felix, an 11-time Olympic medalist and proud mother of two, announced a partnership with Pampers to launch the first-ever nursery at the Olympic Village. The nursery is set to debut at the heart of the Athletes' Village Plaza, central to athletes’ living headquarters during the Games. It promises to offer a space for Olympic mothers to bond with and nurse their babies amid their competitions.

"It was top of mind to support athletes who are mothers," Felix told NBC Olympics. "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.

It's meant to feel like home.

Felix recently joined the Athletes' Commission at the International Olympic Committee (IOC), relishing the chance to be a "voice for athlete moms," in her role.

"It's childcare," Felix said. "It's here so that mothers and families feel supported. Having some normalcy is great, just to have an actual space dedicated for this."

An IOC release announcing the nursery noted that Pampers brand wipes and nappies will be available, plus spaces for playtime and family bonding.

"Pregnancy and motherhood don’t have to mean a career end for female athletes," said Emma Terho, the IOC's Athletes' Comission Chair and a two-time Olympic ice hockey medalist for Finland. "This nursery allows that to happen, while also giving athletes the opportunity to focus on the Games."

Felix became a mother in 2018, a rewarding but harrowing time for her. At 32 weeks pregnant, she was diagnosed with a life-threatening pregnancy complication called preeclampsia. Felix was forced to undergo an emergency C-section. Her daughter, Camryn, was born prematurely at 3 pounds, 7 ounces and spent the first month of her life in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Now 5 years old, Camryn is living a healthy, happy life.

"I had the experience of coming back to competition with my daughter, and it was really challenging," Felix said. "You're so far from home, and it's really difficult to bring your family."

"It was even hard in ways I didn't expect, like staying in hotels, washing bottles, all the things you have to bring, feeding your baby in stadiums, who's going to watch your baby. It was challenging, but I had a lot of learnings of how things can be better."

After Camryn's birth, Felix competed at the Tokyo Olympics, winning 4x400m gold and earning an individual bronze in the 400m, marking her fifth consecutive Olympics with a medal.

Felix is also supporting an initiative to aid families who endure similar circumstances around a premature birth. Through purchases of its diapers at Walmart, Pampers will donate up to one million diapers to the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

"My daughter Camryn was a preemie, so I'm excited to support those families," Felix said.

On April 10, Felix and her husband, Kenneth Ferguson, announced the healthy birth of their second child: a boy named Kenneth Maurice Ferguson III, known as "Trey."

"He's doing really well," Felix said. "It's been really fun to be a mother for the second time. He's thriving."

In a few days, Felix, Kenneth, Camryn and Trey will travel as a unit to Paris for the first Olympic Games without Felix on the track since the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Felix eagerly anticipates a strong U.S. performance in track and field after its 120-athlete team was announced. She previews the upcoming Olympic slate with NBC.

"Our team is so strong," Felix said. "We have that depth as always. I'm excited to watch Gabby Thomas. The 200m is my event, so I'm looking forward to that."

"On the men's side, it's very strong as well. Noah (Lyles), Kenny (Bednarek), Erriyon (Knighton), they all look great."

Among those representing the U.S. on the Paris Olympic track is new mother Elle St. Pierre, who gave birth to her son, Ivan, in March 2023. St. Pierre will compete in the women's 1500m in these Games.

"I've been following her and look forward to her competing," Felix said.

The nursery launching in Paris is far from Felix's first foray into activism. She created a childcare fund in 2021 to support mom athletes and also recently received a $20 million grant from the Melinda French Gates Foundation to support Black maternal health.

Felix maintains that her mission is to make sure initiatives such as her fund and the Olympic nursery become societal staples.

"This is a shift in culture," Felix said. "It's saying that motherhood isn't the end. If you choose to be a mother in the midst of your career, you can still go and have incredible performances."

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Allyson Felix launches first-ever Olympic Village nursery for Paris 2024 (2024)

FAQs

Allyson Felix launches first-ever Olympic Village nursery for Paris 2024? ›

The Pampers Family Space, in partnership with Procter & Gamble, is the first of its kind in Olympic history and provides a space for athletes — both moms and dads — to spend time with their children while staying in the Village. "It's really meant to feel like a space in your home," says Felix, 38.

Which company is set to establish first ever India house at Paris Olympics 2024? ›

India House is the nation's inaugural country house at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, conceptualised by the Reliance Foundation in partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).

Is Allyson Felix in the 2024 Olympics? ›

It is natural that Allyson Felix is still in the Olympic spirit for Paris 2024, the first summer Games that she won't be competing in for 24 years. The American sprinter competed in five Olympic Games throughout her decorated career, before hanging up her spikes in 2022, having won two medals at Tokyo 2020.

What are some interesting facts about Allyson Felix? ›

Biographical Information

Allyson Felix is the most decorated American track and field athlete with 20 world championships medals and 11 Olympic medals. Specializing in the 200m event, Allyson was the 2012 Olympic champion and a three-time world champion.

Where was the first Olympic village built? ›

The first Olympic Village was built in Paris in 1924 to "foster cordiality" among athletes. Competitors slept in wooden huts and were offered wine with lunch and dinner. The village also had a post office, a salon, and laundry.

Who was the founder of India House in Paris? ›

The India House has been set up by the Reliance Foundation, by Anant Ambani's family which is a cultural hospitality hub in Paris, which aims to promote Indian culture.

Who was the first Indian to bring home an Olympic gold medal? ›

India's most euphoric moment at the Olympics came at Beijing 2008 when Abhinav Bindra won a historic gold medal in the men's 10m air rifle. The Indian shooter shot a near-perfect 10.8 with his final shot, ensuring India's first individual Olympic gold medal.

How many world medals does Allyson Felix have? ›

Allyson Felix is the most decorated track and field athlete in history. With a record 20 World Championship medals and 11 medals at the Olympic Games - including seven golds - she ranks among the sport's greats.

Is Katie Ledecky going to the 2024 Olympics? ›

Katie Ledecky, one of the most decorated athletes in U.S. Olympic history, will look to add to her long list of medals as she continues competitions at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

Who is holding the 2024 Olympics? ›

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad and officially branded as Paris 2024, is an international multi-sport event taking place from 24 July to 11 August 2024 in France, with the opening ceremony having taken place on 26 July.

Is Allyson Felix a Millionaire? ›

According to Parade Magazine, Allyson Felix has a net worth of $4.5 million. Most of her net worth comes from the value of her Olympic medals and her endorsements. The outlet reports that Felix's biggest headlines came in 2019, when she reported that Nike hit her with a pay cut of 70 percent.

What was Allyson Felix diagnosed with? ›

Allyson is an elite track and field athlete and Olympian who was diagnosed at 32-weeks pregnant with severe preeclampsia—a potentially life-threatening pregnancy-related complication.

How did Allyson Felix change history? ›

In addition, Felix was on the winning teams for the 4 × 100-metre relay and the 4 × 400-metre relay. In the process, she became the first American woman to win three track and field gold medals at an Olympics since Florence Griffith-Joyner at the 1988 Games in Seoul.

Why is it called Olympic Village? ›

An Olympic Village is a residential complex built or reassigned for the Olympic Games in or nearby the host city for the purpose of accommodating all of the delegations. Olympic Villages are usually located close to the Olympic Stadium within an Olympic Park.

Where is the 2024 Olympic Village? ›

The Olympic Village is seven kilometres (4.3 miles) north of central Paris — spread between the suburbs of Saint-Denis, L'Ile-Saint-Denis, and Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine. For just over two weeks, it will accommodate roughly 14,000 competitors before housing 8,000 during the Paralympic Games this month.

Who will sponsor Paris Olympics 2024 in India? ›

According to sources, Indian Olympic Association (IOA) has secured sponsorship deals worth over Rs 50 crore, featuring prominent brands such as Reliance , BPCL, Adani, Aditya Birla Capital, Yes Bank, Amul, INOX Leisure, JSW, Puma, and Tasva.

What is India House at Paris Olympics? ›

The India House is a huge hall adorned with pictures of Indian Olympians from past and present. As part of a long-term partnership with the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), Reliance Foundation opened the first-ever India House at the Paris Olympics.

Who will broadcast Paris Olympics 2024 in India? ›

Indian athletes are in action across 10 disciplines, including two medal events on Day 7 in Paris. Live streaming of the Paris 2024 Olympics will be available for free on Jio Cinema in India. Live telecast of Paris 2024 will be on Sports 18 Network TV channel in India.

Who led Indian contingent in Tokyo Olympics? ›

Athletics boasts the largest Indian representation with a 29-member squad led by Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Neeraj Chopra.

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