Olympic athlete shocks viewers after revealing there ‘were actually three players’ on podium instead of two

This year's Olympics has been full of surprises - including Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez revealing to the world that she was staggeringly seven months pregnant when she won her opening match.

The 26-year-old competitor went head to head with USA's Elizabeth Tartakovsky and enjoyed a shock win at 15-13 on Monday (29 July).

Ultimately she was knocked out after being defeated by South Korea's Jeon Hayoung, losing 15-7.

This year's Olympics competition, which is taking place in Paris, is Hafez's third.

She also competed in 2016 and 2021.

But it wasn't her win (or loss) that was the biggest shock.

Taking to Instagram after leaving the competition, she shared some incredible news on social media.

She wrote: "7 MONTHS PREGNANT OLYMPIAN."

Nada Hafez shared her happy news with the world. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

She continued: "What appears to you as two players on the podium, they were actually three! It was me, my competitor, & my yet-to-come to our world, little baby!

"My baby & I had our fair share of challenges, be it both physical & emotional. The rollercoaster of pregnancy is tough on its own, but having to fight to keep the balance of life & sports was nothing short of strenuous, however worth it.

"I’m writing this post to say that pride fills my being for securing my place in the round of 16!"

She went on to add: "I’m lucky to have shared the trust of my husband (Ibrahim Ihab) and that of my family to be able to come this far.

"This specific Olympics was different; Three times *Olympian* but this time carrying a little Olympian one!"

Following Nada's announcement, some social media users called her 'irresponsible' for stepping up while pregnant.

One user wrote: "As a fan how were you expected to win a medal being 7 months pregnant?

"It’s a beautiful story of course but I want Egypt to win, maybe another player could have [gone] instead of you."

Many others however flooded the comments with love and support.

One person wrote: "We are so proud Nad."

While another said: "YOU ROCK."

The fencer was ultimately knocked out of the competition. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

A third chimed: "What a story to tell for your baby."

It's welcome good news following confirmation that a commentator had been sacked for making sexist comments.

Eurosport removed commentator Bob Ballard from its commentary team after the remark he made over the past weekend.

Following Mollie O’Callaghan, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Meg Harris winning gold for the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team, Ballard was captured making misogynistic comments in a clip.

Ballard, who previously worked for the BBC, said: "Well, the women just finishing up. You know what women are like … hanging around, doing their makeup."

Ballard’s co-commentator, Lizzie Simmonds, called the remark 'outrageous'.

Eurosport confirmed that Ballard had been 'removed from our commentary roster with immediate effect'.

Tyla previously reached out to Bob Ballard's representatives for comment.