The USATF Foundation has shown its commitment to supporting mother-athletes. This was evident when, in January, Shannon Rowbury received the maternity grant at a crucial time, with USATF stating, “The Foundation is committed to supporting mother-athletes who pursue motherhood during the course of their athletic careers.” And now, USATF has once again stepped forward with another round of support for sports mothers.

The organization has announced its support for three standout athletes: Betsy Saina, Elle St. Pierre, and Amy Davis-Green. For those unfamiliar, Betsy Saina is one of America’s fastest marathoners. She won the 2023 Sydney Marathon in 2:26:47 and set a personal best of 2:19:17 at the 2024 Tokyo Marathon, finishing 5th and earning her spot as the third-fastest American woman in history.

“When I had my first son, I decided to do things my own way. I was like I’m going to see what works because the biggest thing is listening to my body, and that’s what I did. I took my sweet time, started with walking and exercise, and I started the process, taking it one day at a time, and I was really surprised the way it came together when I ran my personal best for the marathon,” said Saina in her comments.

Seven months pregnant, Amy Davis-Green has also been awarded the grant. In a showcase of talent, the athlete ran a personal best of 53:36 at the USATF 10 Mile Championships while just four weeks pregnant. Reflecting on the honor, the athlete stated, “Honestly, I think this grant will give me the peace of mind to invest in strength training, pelvic floor therapy, and little nuances I might not even be aware of. It gives me the ability and capacity to focus on these areas in ways I wouldn’t be able to otherwise.”

Looking ahead to her comeback, the athlete is excited to push past her limits, ” My desire to come back is to really capitalize on my gift and talent. I don’t yet know my full capability, but I look forward to wanting to qualify for the Olympic Trials in the marathon and using this gift in a way that is honorable,” she shared. The third person to receive the grant is Elle St. Pierre, a distance runner who won gold in the 3000m at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, setting both a championship record 8:20.87 and a North American record.

Well, Allyson Felix should receive a sort of thank-you note due to this.

Allyson Felix forced Nike to change the norms forever

In sports history, few athletes have dared to challenge giants like Nike or Adidas, but Allyson Felix was built differently. The Olympic champion faced a staggering 70% pay cut while preparing for motherhood, a stark reminder that even the most decorated success doesn’t shield women from discrimination. When Nike pulled that move on her, the athlete risked her career to expose the ecosystem.

“I didn’t want to ruffle feathers,” Felix told an audience at the Bentonville Film Festival, where She Runs the World, a documentary chronicling her battle with Nike, was screened. She further added, “It was still terrifying and uncomfortable and all those things, but there was definitely purpose behind it.” The documentary showcases Felix as well as her brother, Aka, her manager, as they navigate their deal with Nike during her maternity. Felix could have agreed to their terms, but she wanted a change, not just for herself but for everyone.

The pushback triggered a backlash for Nike, leading them to change their policies, guaranteeing 18 months of pay and pregnancy-related bonuses. Well, what are your thoughts about the hubbub? State your opinions in the comments below.