The artistic swimming medalist, the Catalan Ona Carbonell is among the hundred most influential women of the year, according to the list compiled by the British public channel BBC. The list, which is not numbered, recognizes activists, politicians, artists or athletes from around the world whose work has been a source of change and inspiration.
In the case of Carbonell, "her campaign to normalize perceptions around being a mother and an elite athlete" stands out. The 32-year-old has won more than 30 major medals, including Olympic silver and bronze.
In 2020, she gave birth to her first child and criticized not being able to breastfeed during her participation in the Tokyo Olympics. This year she has become a mother for the second time and she has told her story in a documentary "to show other athletes that motherhood can be compatible with sport," says the BBC.
Also on its tenth annual list released on Tuesday are, among other women, American singer Billie Eilish; the first lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska; Indian actresses Priyanka Chopra Jonas and American Selma Blair; the "tsarina of Russian pop" Alla Pugacheva; and the Iranian climber Elnaz Rekabi.
