Allyson Felix once faced a 70% pay cut from Nike if motherhood affected her performance—today, that threat is unthinkable, thanks to a wave of change now being cemented by World Athletics. The global governing body has launched the Childbirth And Return in Elite Sport (CARES) project, a groundbreaking initiative inviting every elite female athlete to shape new policies on pregnancy, childbirth, and return to competition. This isn’t just about fairness—it’s about rewriting the rules of elite sport to reflect the realities of women’s lives. With rising stars like British runner Calli Hauger-Thackery completing the Boston Marathon at 22 weeks pregnant, the conversation is no longer whether motherhood and elite athletics can coexist, but how to support them together. The CARES project gathers data through athlete surveys—both from those who’ve experienced pregnancy and those who haven’t—to build evidence-based policies that protect rankings, ensure financial stability, and dismantle systemic barriers. Lord Coe, President of World Athletics, called it “the next step in ensuring athletes who experience pregnancy are protected, receive support, and do not face barriers when it comes to being able to make a return to elite athletics.” The stakes are high: without structured support, female athletes risk losing sponsorship, ranking, and career momentum during maternity leave. But the tide is turning. After Felix’s public stand in 2019, Nike reversed course, guaranteeing athletes’ pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy—a policy shift that sent ripples across the industry. Now, World Athletics aims to scale that progress globally. The data collected will inform new guidelines on contractual protections, medical support, and competitive reintegration, ensuring no athlete has to choose between a medal and motherhood. Hauger-Thackery, who clocked 2:43 in Boston while pregnant, embodies this new era. “It means so much to me,” she said. “We can be a mother and also shoot for these crazy big goals, more than ever.” Her run wasn’t just a personal triumph—it was a statement. As the 2027 World Athletics Championships approach in Beijing, the sport is preparing not just for faster times, but for a more inclusive future—where every woman can compete, conceive, and return with dignity.