Swiss Superfrau refuses to choose

“An athlete or a mother. You shouldn’t have to choose,'' says Nicola Spirig in this outstanding profile of a modern sportswoman. 

Conceived by Fackrell and directed by Sam Coleman, through Giant Films, Cape Town, the three-minute film, Nicola Spirig - Superfrau, was created for running brand On and is an inspiring biopic of the Swiss triathlete and Olympic gold medalist. 

The film contrasts footage of Spirig’s incredible endurance – cycling, swimming and running through the Swiss mountains – with the intimacy of caring for her three young children.

On running a gruelling 10K she comments, “You have to find a special resolve to win.” No kidding. It’s indicative of her stealy mindset as she prepares to compete at Tokyo 2020, balancing a non-stop training schedule with nurturing her third child, born in April this year.

Spirig joins a number of high-profile female athletes – Serena Williams, pro golfer Stacy Lewis, and runner Alysia Montaño – who have returned to their sport after giving birth and continued to smash it. 

Despite this, many sports brands penalise women for having families, by paying less, or not at all, when they're pregnant or breastfeeding. According to ESPN’s survey of pro athletes who are also mothers, 41 percent said their income decreased when they had children.