Olympic climber hits out at claims she might harm baby

A PREGNANT Olympian has defended continuing to rock climb after critics labelled her “irresponsible”.

Shauna Coxsey, 29, one of the UK’S most decorated climbers, posts videos on social media but has been branded “stupid” by people who think she is putting her unborn child at risk.

Coxsey, who retired following the sport’s Olympic debut at Tokyo, insists she would “never put her baby in danger”. Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she said: “It feels way more risky for me to walk down the street. I feel much more likely to trip over on a bumpy road than I do to go up an easy climbing wall.

“Everyone assesses risk differently and I think people perceive me climbing as risky when I am actually climbing well within my comfort zone.”

Coxsey, whose husband Ned Feehally is also a climber, made history in Tokyo 2020 when she became Team GB’S first competitor in the sport.

The two-time World Championship bronze medallist finished 10th overall.

Following her professional career, Coxsey said that if she does not climb for more than a week her body feels “clunky” and “achy”.

“As soon as I get back on that wall, my body feels more connected and good and strong and also my mental health as well,” she said. She added that she had been fortunate to continue climbing during her pregnancy.

Coxsey, who is 39-weeks pregnant with her first child, said: “People think I might be able to fall and land on my stomach – which is something I have never ever done or seen happen before.”

One Instagram follower said: “Is this allowed? Please be careful. I’m all for active mamas but that’s just dangerous.”

Despite the critics, other followers

‘I feel much more likely to trip over on a bumpy road than I do to go up an easy climbing wall’

have said she is “inspirational” and had encouraged them to stay active during pregnancy. One follower wrote: “Awesome! I’m eight months’ pregnant myself and still climbing!”

Coxsey told the BBC: “For me to communicate how I have gone about this pregnancy and say it is possible to keep climbing in a safe way has been really important.

“It’s frustrating that other women are getting this judgment and choosing to give up something that they love and are comfortable with because of the fear of judgment. It is sad – it is bullying.”