I’ve been a total Olympic junkie this week. While I’ll watch any athletes, regardless of parental status, I’ve noticed that moms are doing well for themselves in these games.
Swiss skeleton racer Maya Pederson, who won the 2005 World Championships only a year after giving birth, won gold in the event in Torino. Norwegian cross-country skier Hilde Petersen is not only the mother of twins, but also the oldest woman, at 41 1/2, to medal in a Winter Olympics, taking bronze in the 10K Classical race. Her 16-year-old girls ski as well, and have raced with their mom in relays. Petersen credits her daughters with motivating her to keep racing, despite her age. She and daughter Ida even won bronze at last year’s Norwegian championships.
Other moms competing in cross-country skiing, the most grueling endurance event of the Winter Games, include Russia’s Yulia Tchepalova and the Czech Republic’s Katerina Neumannova. My partner and I went two times around our local park after this past weekend’s snowfall, and I have the fullest respect for those who do this farther, faster, and without stopping to blow their noses every ten minutes.
Finally, a word of acknowledgement to all the moms who don’t compete, but support their children who do. There should be a special medal for that.