Polish sprinter Natalia Bukowiecka revealed in an interview with WP Kobieta that female athletes frequently hide pregnancies over fears of losing sponsorship deals.
Speaking to interviewer Dorota Kuźnik, the 28-year-old 400-metre runner explained that commercial sponsors are under no legal obligation to extend contracts during maternity leave. This leaves female competitors facing severe financial vulnerability when deciding to start a family.
Bukowiecka stated that while government athletic grants follow specific statutory rules, private corporate sponsors frequently drop pregnant athletes. She argued that sports women should be entitled to speak openly about pregnancy and maternity leave while maintaining a clear path to return to competition.
Although Bukowiecka noted that sponsorship cancellation had not affected her directly, she said many female athletes delay motherhood out of financial fear. She cited American sprinting legend Allyson Felix, who was sponsored by sportswear manufacturer Nike for over a decade before the company ended her contract when she became pregnant.
Felix, one of the most decorated track and field athletes in history, sparked widespread international discussion after publicly criticizing sponsorship practices in professional sports. Nike subsequently modified its athlete contract policies to protect female competitors during pregnancy and early parenthood.
Financial pressure and injury risks in track events
Bukowiecka emphasized that financial security for professional athletes extends beyond maternity concerns. She warned that competitors live under relentless pressure to perform, knowing that a single severe injury or an off-peak season can result in total financial loss.
Government athletic scholarships in Poland are typically awarded on a one-year basis, meaning an injured athlete risks losing financial support entirely. Bukowiecka noted that many runners struggle to maintain basic living expenses when physical setbacks disrupt their competitive performance.
The 400-metre sprint is widely considered one of the most physically demanding track events in athletics. Competitors complete one full lap of a standard outdoor track at near-maximum speed, placing intense physiological stress on muscles and joints and raising the risk of career-impairing injuries.
Championship success and future competition plans
Bukowiecka achieved outstanding international success earlier this year on the track. She claimed the silver medal in the 400 metres at the European Athletics Championships in Birmingham in August, having earned a silver medal at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Toruń just months prior.
The European Athletics Championships is the top continental track competition organized by European Athletics, held at Alexander Stadium in Birmingham. The World Athletics Indoor Championships is a flagship global tournament, held most recently at the Arena Toruń in northern Poland.
Following her medal-winning performances, Bukowiecka has resumed her training schedule and is scheduled to return to elite track competition in the new year.
