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Star US footballer Sydney Leroux Dwyer has set the internet alight by sharing photos of herself resuming training for Orlando Pride while five-and-a-half months pregnant.
- Leroux's posts inspired other athletes to come forward and share their pictures
- Some on social media criticised her for taking an unnecessary risk, which drew a sharp response from the player
- Leroux said she only takes part in non-contact activities at training
The Canadian-born player, known as "Syd the Kid", has won Olympic gold and the 2015 Women's World Cup with the US national team — and has over 2 million followers on Twitter.
"I didn't think I'd be starting off preseason 5.5 months pregnant but here we are," Leroux wrote on Twitter along with the photos, prompting a flood of replies calling her "inspirational" and a "hero".
Other athletes responded with photos of themselves practicing or competing while pregnant, including golfer former pro golfer Paige Mackenzie and volleyballer Bahar Toksoy Guidetti.
Leroux's USA and Pride teammate Alex Morgan said she was "Proud to be your teammate, Syd."
"Can't wait to get on the field with you."
There was also a sadly predictable backlash, which Leroux decided to address.
"I have yet to respond to some of you ignorant people … 99 per cent of those that have criticised my 'training' have been men," she wrote in a later tweet.
"Until you push a baby out of your vagina you need to sit this one out. I don't play for the money honey, I play because it brings me joy."
In response to a question about what she was cleared to do, Leroux wrote that she does not put herself in any risky situations at training.
"I just do non contact stuff. Ball work. Getting touches in," she said.
"I don't put myself in situations where the ball can ricochet or I can get hit.
"No high intensity running and I listen to my OB [who knows more than people on twitter telling me what I shouldn't be doing with MY body]."
Leroux plays alongside Matildas stars Alanna Kennedy and Emily van Egmond at the Pride — both are currently in Australia to compete in the Cup of Nations.
The baby will be the second child for Leroux and her husband, Orlando City player Dom Dwyer, who have a son named Cassius.
Topics: soccer, pregnancy-and-childbirth, womens-health, women, sport, united-states
First posted