“I wouldn’t have had it any other way…I’m really grateful. I couldn’t have imagined a better place to finish off my career,” mused the 31-year-old American surfer, Carissa Moore. As the pioneering Olympic gold medallist in women’s shortboard surfing from the 2020 Tokyo Games and a five-time world champion, Moore had her sights set on defending her title at the Paris 2024 Olympics before her planned departure from the sport. Yet, fate took a turn as she bowed out in the quarterfinals to France’s Johanne Defay.

Though Carissa Moore’s competitive journey reached its final shore, the scene was one of profound emotion. Amid a standing ovation and tears streaming down both her and her fans’ faces, the moment was undeniably poignant, marking the end of an era in her career. Reflecting on the close of her chapter, she shared, “When you come up short of a dream, it sucks.”

Yet  she also embraced the bittersweet beauty of it all, adding, “But at the same time, how fun was it?” Her words captured the essence of her departure: a blend of sorrow and celebration, honoring both the struggles and the joys of her storied career. As the Paris Olympics faded into the horizon, Carissa Moore gracefully stepped away from the waves and into a new chapter of her life.

On August 22, she shared a joyous revelation on Instagram: “Excited to catch the best wave of our lives… the swell arrives February 2025.” This poetic announcement signaled the beginning of a beautiful new journey—motherhood. With this heartfelt message, Moore is preparing to embrace the tender waves of parenthood, marking a transition from champion surfer to loving mom.

Carissa Moore shared a sweet video with her husband, Luke Untermann, where they’re catching waves in the golden glow of a beach sunset. Set to Ellie Goulding’s tender cover of Elton John’s “Your Song,” the video ends with a special reveal: Carissa’s tiny baby bump. This beautiful moment isn’t just a milestone in her life; it’s a powerful celebration of womanhood. And here’s the kicker—Carissa was pregnant during the Paris Olympics!

She’s now part of an elite group of incredible women who’ve competed on the world’s biggest stage while expecting. Earlier this month, Egyptian fencer Nada Hafez made headlines when she revealed she was seven months pregnant during the Paris Olympics in 2024. Her caption said it all: “7 MONTHS PREGNANT OLYMPIAN!” She added, “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!”

The world went wild, hailing her as a true champion. And just when we thought it couldn’t get more amazing, Yaylagul Ramazanova shared on Instagram that she competed while six-and-a-half months pregnant, even scoring a perfect 10 after feeling her baby kick before taking a shot. Now, Carissa Moore joins this extraordinary chapter, adding her own inspiring story to the mix. And now fans are buzzing with emotions after this news!

From Olympic glory to mommy-to-be fans celebrating Carissa Moore’s new journey

Carissa Moore’s pregnancy announcement sent waves of joy through her fanbase, with many shedding happy tears. One fan perfectly captured the collective sentiment: “Omg! No way! Congrats, Carissa! Crying so much happy tears for you two. You’re going to be such a great mom.” This heartfelt message reflects the overwhelming excitement as fans celebrate this new chapter in Carissa’s life, recognizing not just her incredible achievements in surfing but the beautiful journey of motherhood ahead.

Balancing the intense demands of Olympic competition is no small feat, especially when you’re also dealing with the challenges of the waves and currents. Another fan summed it up perfectly, writing, “Congratulations!!! The fact that you competed in the Olympics during your first trimester means you get 100 gold medals in my book!”

Carissa Moore, the reigning Olympic champion, kicked off strong in Heat 8 on July 28, dominating with 16.50 points and leaving her competitors behind. She then finished second in Heat 2 with 6.50 points but was ultimately eliminated in the quarterfinals by France’s Johanne Defay. Pulling this off was no small feat, especially during her first trimester. As one fan gushed, “Hapinness Carissa for both. You deserve a medal for being in the Olympics in the middle of first trimester time. Beautiful video.”

Now joining the ranks of other extraordinary women like Nada Hafez and Yaylagul Ramazanova, who also competed while pregnant, Carissa’s story is inspiring fans everywhere. One comment summed it up: “Amazing! Congrats! And to be pregnant in the Olympics. This is such a huge win for women around the world!”

As Carissa Moore and Nada Hafez continue to inspire us, we can only wish them the best as they embrace the beautiful journey of motherhood. But what about you—what do you think of these incredible women competing on the grand Olympic stage while carrying the next generation? Share your thoughts in the comments below!