World Athletics has launched a new project exploring pregnancy, childbirth and the return to sport for elite female athletes.

The Childbirth And Return in Elite Sport (CARES) project combines scientific research and policy development grounded in the athletes’ perspective. Its overarching aim is to generate evidence that can inform future policies and support systems, to protect female athletes and reduce inequities within elite athletics.

As part of the project, World Athletics is calling for female athletes – both those who have experienced pregnancy and those who have not – to complete one of two surveys. The surveys are being conducted as a collaboration between the Health and Science and Competition departments of World Athletics with direct input from the World Athletics Athletes’ Commission.