Right now, 5,200 female athletes are competing in the Paris Olympics. And while we cheer them on and push themselves to the limit, many of them are… menstruating. Yes, we know, it can be an embarrassing topic. But it’s far from it for Canadian wrestler Linda Morais, who is one of the only athletes to talk openly about periods. Her mission? Break this taboo! We were lucky enough to catch her before she flew to the Paris Olympics.
For young girls (and even adults!), having periods can be embarrassing, right?
Yes, it can even cause young athletes to give up their sport. One study found that half of girls will avoid physical activity because of their periods. This means they miss out on the benefits of sports, such as health, self-confidence and team spirit.
Why did you decide to talk about your period so openly?
I want to show the next generation of girls that periods are a normal part of growing up. They should never make us give up on our athletic goals or stop us from moving.
And you, how did you stop being embarrassed about your period?
My mother, a retired teacher, always told me, “Ask me your questions and I will do my best to answer.” Despite this, it took me two days to tell her that I was menstruating. Once I knew how to live with my period, I was no longer ashamed.
What advice do you have for young athletes who are starting or are about to start their periods?
- Talk about it openly with your friends, family and coaches.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions about periods and how to live with your cycle when you’re exercising. You can ask your teammates or older athletes, who will tell you what methods work best for them.
- You need to learn about your body and how menstruation affects your performance. You will also find which menstrual product is best for you, both for comfort and confidence.
What an important topic, right? We wish Linda good luck! And we’re keeping an eye on her test, which starts on August 5!
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