Eastbourne athlete Lauren Weston drives major policy change at British Triathlon for pregnant women
Former Eastbourne Swimming Club member and triathlete Lauren Weston has helped make history by leading a successful campaign to change British Triathlon’s national policy, allowing pregnant women to defer their place to represent Great Britain.
It is a move hailed as a huge step forward for gender equality in elite sport.
Lauren, alongside two other female athletes, petitioned the governing body after experiencing first-hand the challenges faced by women trying to balance high-level competition with pregnancy.
The change, now officially adopted by British Triathlon, means no woman will have to forfeit her spot on Team GB due to pregnancy.
“Sport needs to work with women, not against them,” said Lauren. “This policy ensures that female athletes can pursue both motherhood and sporting excellence.”
Lauren’s own sporting journey began in Eastbourne, where she trained with Eastbourne Rovers and swam competitively as a member of Eastbourne Swimming Club.
Her commitment to health and fitness has remained unwavering – even during pregnancy. She completed a 5,000m Swimathon at 32 weeks pregnant and competed in 10km running races up to 25 weeks, maintaining both her physical health and mental strength throughout.
In recognition of her advocacy and dedication, Lauren was invited to speak on a British Triathlon webinar alongside Olympic champion Vicky Holland, where she shared her personal experiences of training during pregnancy and the importance of support and visibility for female athletes.
Now living in London, Lauren is the founder and director of Kidz4, a specialist provider of high-quality after-school sport and yoga clubs. She leads a dedicated team delivering programmes in top independent schools across the capital, including Thomas’ Battersea and Putney High School, with a strong focus on physical wellbeing, mindfulness, and confidence-building for children.
Alongside running her business, Lauren has been raising her young daughter – a challenge she’s embraced with the help of her incredibly supportive mother, a hands-on fiancé and a close-knit community of friends.
“It’s not always easy juggling everything,” she said, “but I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who lift me up and make this possible.”
Lauren is now preparing for her upcoming competitions in Istanbul and Bournemouth, with her sights firmly set on a podium finish in the World Age-Group Triathlon Championships next year. “I’m training hard and aiming for a top-three finish in my age group on the world stage,” she said. “That’s my next big goal — and I’m more motivated than ever.”
“This win isn’t just for me – it’s for every woman who’s been told she has to choose between her sporting dreams and starting a family,” Lauren added. “And I hope it shows young people, especially the girls we teach, that their ambitions are always worth fighting for.”