USA Track & Field expands its maternity policy to give athletes more time to work their way back | KLRT [Video]

U.S. Olympic hurdler Christina Clemons sent numerous emails to those in the track community raising concerns over a gap in health care insurance coverage for new mothers who still wanted to compete.

Those baby steps turned into big strides as USA Track & Field unveiled a program Thursday that expands an existing maternity support system to give athletes more time to work their way back. It’s one less hurdle for women in the sport who want to start a family in the middle of their careers.

For Clemons, it’s a way to help carry the baton and follow in the footsteps of Allyson Felix and others who have been advocating for equality for mothers on and off the track.

“There is a huge lack of support in sports in general when it comes to mothers, which is crazy to me,” said the 33-year-old Clemons, who gave birth to her son, …