Elle Purrier St. Pierre Qualified For 2024 Olympics—And She Did It During Postpartum Period
"There’s so many things that women have to balance," runner Elle Purrier St. Pierre said. "I just had my period for the first time since I had a baby – and that was the week of the Olympic trials."
Elle Purrier St. Pierre, 29, will compete in the women’s races as part of the track team.
Not only did St. Pierre qualify for this year's Olympics, but she ran the 5,000 meters in 14 minutes 40.34 seconds during trials – the fastest time by a woman in U.S. trials history. Amazingly, St. Pierre achieved the feat during her postpartum period.
The runner was stunned by her own achievements as well. ”I just wanted to make it honest,” St. Pierre told The Register-Guard. “I knew I could run fast, and I was honestly surprised how well my legs felt after running two 5Ks and two other rounds of the 1,500.”
St. Pierre, a dairy farmer and mother to 17-month-old Ivan, also earned a gold medal this year at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, breaking the American and championship record at 3,000 meters in 8:20.87.
The track and field athlete makes running look effortless, but as a new mom, she faces unique challenges compared to men. It's refreshing to hear an Olympian acknowledge that there are biological differences between men and women. "There are so many things women have to balance," she said on camera. "I just had my first period since having a baby — and it was the week of the Olympic trials. Men don't have to deal with that, you know?"
"Women are awesome," St. Pierre added.
The athlete took to Instagram to thank her supporters after the trials in Eugene, Oregon. "I have so many more people to thank. My parents and siblings and friends for their endless love and support. my teammates for all the miles. any and all of the medical/physio treatment I’ve received to keep me healthy!" she wrote in her caption, including her sponsors.
"But the two I truly could not have done it without are my husband and best friend Jamie and my inspiration and motivation…Ivan 💙."
"When I was getting ready to head to the track before the 1500m final, Jamie picked up my 5k gold medal and said 'mind if i bring this with me for good luck'? And then proceeded to roll it up and put it in his pocket," St. Pierre wrote.
She concluded, "He was there after the 1500 to hand me my post race milk, our son Ivan and my other medal so I could do a victory lap with both. It’s just a small example of how he’s always my biggest supporter and how he believes in me more than anyone, even more than I believe in myself at times. Cheers to that! For all the moms and all the farmers…we are going to PARIS baby!!!!!"
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