Jodie Grinham, an accomplished Paralympic archer for Great Britain, is poised to make history at this year’s Paralympic Games in Paris. Already a silver medalist from the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Grinham will be competing in the compound archery competition whilst seven months pregnant, a feat believed to be unprecedented in Paralympic history. Born with a congenital condition, brachysyndactyly, Grinham has “no fingers and half a thumb” on one hand, and has to contend with an undeveloped shoulder. Nonetheless, she has remained determined to compete at the Paralympics, despite the added challenge of her pregnancy.
Grinham, already a mother to a toddler, has had to balance childcare with her training regimen, and deal with the symptoms of her pregnancy. Returning to the podium is a significant motivation, but more than anything, she’s competing for herself, she tells The Athletic. Aware of the real possibility of going into labor during the Games, Grinham and her team have prepared for that eventuality, researching nearby maternity wards and hospitals, and planning for the birth certificate and logistics if the baby is born in France. Grinham even jokes about the possibility of having the baby and then continuing with the competition.
The practical implications of her pregnancy haven’t been limited to her personal life. Expecting a baby has affected Grinham’s training and shooting technique. Pivotally, her center of gravity has been displaced and she has had to adjust her stance, bow, and even clothing to ensure that she could continue to compete at the elite level. These changes have been made under the close supervision of her coach, the British Paralympic Association, and Archery GB, responding to the challenges of her fading physical condition and her expanding baby bump.
However, as she nears full-term, Grinham reflects on the unpredictable nature of her situation – it’s an ever-changing scenario. As her baby grows, she has to react and adapt. For instance, she’s had to adjust the belt for her quiver, resulting in changes to how she holds and lifts her bow. There have been other physical trials too, with frequent urges to visit the washroom due to the pressure on her bladder. But Grinham has remained boldly upbeat, focusing on preparing for those potential distractions – such as the baby kicking or moving inside her – that might come during the vital moments of competition.
She adds that her son Christian and partner Christopher won’t be in Paris, but will be cheering her on from home. The decision came after realizing how much the toddler droops whenever he sees his mother and cannot be with her. However, like any other successful athlete, Grinham knows how to keep her game face on the field, prioritizing her professional commitments.
Above all, Grinham remains focused on her goal – winning a medal. She believes in her ability and remains optimistic about her chances. Nevertheless, for Grinham, the journey is about much more than medals. It’s about setting an example, breaking barriers, and showing that being an athlete and a mother are not mutually exclusive. As she rightly puts it, “I get a prize at the end of it, whether it’s a medal — but I get a baby, and that’s what I want”.
