The 2012 Olympic Games were filled with thrills and kills. Athletes from all over the world came with their A-game in hopes of winning a gold medal for their country. While many athletes aspired to win for the pride of the nation they were representing, super moms had their country and children in mind during the competition. Here are a few Olympian moms who left a legacy at this year’s Games.
Candace Parker
Candace had Lailaa,3, on her mind when she played against France for the gold medal. She and her teammates were successful in taking home first prize, and Candace celebrated by bringing her daughter on the court. Lailaa was happy for her mom, but wanted to know where her gold medal was. “We’ll have to try and get her one,” said Parker. Candace was voted Most Valuable Player at the 2012 Olympic Games.
Chaunte Lowe
Chaunte jumped high for her kids. Jasmine and Aurora should have been proud of their mom who qualified for the final round of high jumps, and ultimately placed sixth in the Games.
Lashinda Demus
The hurdles didn’t trip Lashinda Demus up as she placed second in the final competition of the Summer Games. Demus gave birth to twin boys right before the 2008 Games. She described the struggle to remain athletic while caring for her newborns as “hard. They’re pretty stubborn. Then again, my parents say I was stubborn when I was little.”
Danielle Scott-Arruda
Danielle Arruda has made history in being the only Olympiad to compete in five consecutive Games. Arruda has competed in the 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, and 2012 Olympic Games since beginning her professional career as an indoor volleyball player in the early 1990s. She has definitely given her 2-year-old daughter something to be proud of.
Tayyiba Haneef-Park
A teammate of Danielle, Tayyiba has a 2-year-old son who could have watched mommy play at the 2012 Olympic Games. Tayyiba, along with the indoor volleyball team, played well enough to compete in the final rounds of the Games.
Aretha Thurmond
Aretha Thurmond is a devoted mother of one, Theo, who lives in Seattle, Washington. She placed thirteenth at this year’s Olympic Games.
How well do you know the moms? Can you place the name with the face?
Photo: < ahref="http://pottheiser.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Pottheiser
