USATF Expands Maternity Benefits for Athletes

USA Track & Field (USATF) has announced plans to expand maternity benefits for athletes, providing more support for women returning to elite-level competition. This move comes as a significant step towards ensuring female athletes have the necessary resources and tools to continue excelling in their sport after giving birth.

Currently, athletes receive stipends and insurance for one year after a pregnancy ends through the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), as long as they have intentions of returning to top-level competition. However, USATF is taking it a step further by offering additional maternity support to ensure athletes are fully equipped on their journey back to the top.

USATF Chief Operating Officer Renee Chube Washington expressed pride in the organization’s commitment to athlete support, emphasizing the importance of female athletes in the success of Team USATF. This decision to expand maternity benefits was influenced by years of advocacy by retired American sprinter Allyson Felix, who is the most decorated woman in Olympic track and field history.

Felix, along with other athletes, has been pushing for greater maternal support in sports. In 2019, she called out her sponsor Nike for not guaranteeing that she would not face financial penalties if her performance was affected around the time of her first child’s birth. This announcement by USATF is a significant step towards addressing the needs of female athletes and ensuring they have the support they need to continue competing at the highest level.

The expansion of maternity benefits by USATF is a positive development for women in sports, highlighting the importance of providing adequate support for athletes during and after pregnancy. This move sets a precedent for other sports organizations to prioritize the well-being of female athletes and ensure they have the resources they need to succeed both on and off the field.