Parenting isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon. Unless you’re a mom qualifying for the Olympic track team! On Sunday night, Quanera Hayes and Allyson Felix finished first and second in the 400-meter dash to secure their tickets to Tokyo and celebrated with an impromptu playdate on the track.
After the race, Hayes brought her son Demetrius to meet Felix’s daughter Camyrn. An adorable moment ensued, of course. “Guys, we’re going to Tokyo,” Felix said and Hayes added “Super mommies, yeah!”
"SUPERMOMMIES! YEAH!"
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) June 21, 2021
Quanera Hayes' son and @allysonfelix's daughter met after their moms qualified for the #TokyoOlympics. The moment speaks for itself.@usatf | #TokyoOlympics x #TrackFieldTrials21 pic.twitter.com/MCrlvJ7G9e
The two moms gave birth to their children within weeks of each other in Fall 2018 and didn’t let that stop them from returning to top speed. Hayes won the race in 49.78 seconds, her fastest time since winning the 2017 U.S. title in a personal best 49.72. She told Team USA that it was tough to come back after giving birth and progress was slow, but her hard work paid off with the victory over a stacked field.
The most decorated woman in American track and field history, Felix qualified for her fifth Olympic Games and her first since becoming a mom. She clocked a season’s best time of 50.02 after racing past several runners down the stretch. It wasn’t easy—she suffered severe preeclampsia during her pregnancy and had an emergency C-section to deliver her daughter, but after a long hospital stay and recovery she’s running at elite speed once more.
We’re excited to watch these Super Moms compete in the upcoming Olympics! Here’s hoping for more winning track and field playdates, too.
—Sarah Shebek
Feature image courtesy of Andrew Makedonski / Shutterstock.com
Â
RELATED STORIES
American Girl Unveils Team USA Doll Collection & New Summer Products
Hello Kitty Drops the Cutest Line Just in Time for the Olympic Games
Team USA Is Getting Its Own OREO Cookie for the 2020 Olympics
Need some fresh ideas?
Related reads
