Paula Radcliffe has confirmed after a marathon break of 2 years since the birth of her first child, she will compete in the New York Marathon on 4 Nov. As I've posted before extensively, female athletes constantly have to prove themselves upon having children that they can be mothers and elite sportswomen without having to compromise. Only yesterday Lisa Leslie, the great American female basketballer returned to the court after a relatively short hiatus since birth and is back on track to play this season. Paula Radcliffe has been scrutinised with an eagle eye by sports commentators who argue that the woman who has recorded the five fastest marathon times in history with six victories from seven marathon starts, including the 2004 New York race will have an unremarkable 'comeback'.
I find it bizarre that so many people (men mostly) think women are disabled when they have children. If anything, pregnancy makes female athletes stronger because their bodies have time to rest for nine whole months as a result of significantly tapering training. Paula Radcliffe is one of the most remarkable female athletes of this generation. She probably places enough pressure on herself and she is no idiot; if she didn't think she was in peak physical condition to compete at one of the most competitive marathons in the world, she wouldn't be there.
The Guardian has a great article today featuring interviews with famous female runners talking about how their bodies changed for the better after baby. Finally, women athletes are allowed to speak and are not being spoken for: http://sport.guardian.co.uk/athletics/story/0,,2203931,00.html
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